In the name of Peace and Friendship: Former Cornwallis Park in Halifax gets a new name
The Halifax Regional Municipality took a significant step on the path toward reconciliation Monday, hosting a renaming ceremony for a park that used to pay tribute to the city's founder, Edward Cornwallis.
A sizable group of largely invited dignitaries gathered under the midday sun for the event, which culminated with the unveiling of a new sign, designating the space as Peace and Friendship Park.
Technically, the official change took effect earlier this month after a unanimous vote by council following a long awaited task force report that came out last year.
The task force, a joint initiative between regional council and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs, concluded public commemoration of Cornwallis - the British officer accused of practising genocide against the local Indigenous population, is incompatible with current values.
Mi'kmaq Elder and Historian Daniel Paul, who spent decades drawing attention to the issue was happy to attend the event.
"When I set out in the late 1980s to get it done, I had one goal, and that was to stand here today in this park with a new name and the statue gone," Paul told CTV News.
"I feel very happy about it. I think it's an achievement for all communities, not only for the Mi'kmaq community, but for the Caucasian community and for all others in Nova Scotia."
A large statue of Cornwallis, erected as the centrepiece of the park in the 1920s, was hastily removed by city crews in January 2018 amid fear protesters might pull it down.
City officials confirm to CTV News that the statue remains in "secure storage", although it may eventually wind-up in a municipal museum, if the city decides to build one.
Council has directed city staff to undertake a museum strategy.
"I don't really think it should be displayed in public in a manner that idolizes him," said Paul. "Maybe someday in the futures, perhaps a museum."
Speakers at the event noted the name change was a step in the right direction.
"The Mi'kmaq must have a presence throughout, and have opportunities to share," said Chief Deborah Robinson from Acadia First Nation, representing the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs. "Our side of history. Our culture. And our heritage."
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage suggested the name summed up the municipality's strategy toward reconciliation.
"Peace and Friendship Park recognizes we can work together to recognize a wrong, and that we're not bound to our history so much as we are informed by it's lessons," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.