Former Cornwallis Street renamed after Mi’kmaq activist, residential school survivor
Halifax officially has a new street name.
The former Cornwallis Street is now Nora Bernard Street, named after the Mi’kmaq activist and residential school survivor.
“It’s just incredible, it means so much,” says her daughter, Natalie MacLeod Gloade.
Bernard led the largest class action lawsuit in Canadian history in support of 79,000 other survivors. The Canadian government settled for nearly $5 billion dollars.
“I’m so proud and honoured that Halifax has stepped up to the plate and making history. This is history, this is a historical event,” says MacLeod Gloade.
City officials previously set up a task force to look at steps toward reconciliation with First Nations communities.
The renaming of Cornwallis Street was on the list. Edward Cornwallis was the controversial governor of Nova Scotia.
“If we were really going to stick to our words about reconciliation, we need to listen to what is being said. The other piece of it is it feels really great when we can acknowledge folks who have really made a difference,” councillor Lindell Smith says.
“I thought it was important that we had a more public facing process because they had a recommendation for the street name, but I thought it would be important to really garner community support.”
Smith says the task force received 3,000 suggestions. Nora Bernard Street received the vast majority of the votes.
“It’s a positive step forward,” says Chief Bob Gloade of the Millbrook First Nation. “It’s a way to remember and remember Nora Bernard in the hard work she’s done. “
Gloade says Bernard’s community of Millbrook First Nation will take another step toward immortalizing Bernard. Plans are underway to erect a statue and to rename a community hall in her honour.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
A pipeline explosion is shooting a towering pillar of flame over a Houston suburb
A massive pipeline fire shooting a towering pillar of flame for hours over suburban Houston on Monday as first responders evacuated a surrounding neighborhood and tried to keep more nearby homes from catching fire.
Man suspected in apparent assassination attempt on Trump charged with federal gun crimes
Ryan Wesley Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump -- even urging Iran to kill him.
Jane's Addiction cancels tour in the wake of an onstage fight
The alternative rock band Jane's Addiction has scuttled its latest tour following an onstage scuffle between lead singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Former military leader Haydn Edmundson found not guilty of sexual assault
Former vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson has been found not guilty of sexual assault and committing an indecent act, concluding a trial that began in February.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.