Waaban Crossing name a big step for reconciliation in Kingston, Ont. – Kingston | 24CA News

This bridge that now spans the Cataraqui River is among the metropolis of Kingston’s most public steps ahead within the title of reconciliation.

The bridge opened to be used December 13, 2022 is known as the ‘Waaban Crossing’.

“I think it’s really important that we do these kinds of things, that cities do these things, universities and different places kind of recognize the language of the land,” mentioned Nathan Brinklow the Associate Head for Indigenous Affairs at Queen’s University. “It’s not just the language of the people, it’s the language of the land.”

The phrase “Waaban” is an Ojibwe phrase meaning daybreak or morning gentle.

According to town Waaban was put ahead to characterize each the pure setting that the bridge crosses, and as a hopeful metaphor, with indigenous peoples and all Canadians working collectively towards a greater world for future generations.

“Being an indigenous person, seeing that language there, being involved in that process, even just kind of seeing it happen, was really cool for me,” mentioned Brinklow.

The metropolis consulted with the advisory agency “First Peoples Group” in addition to the Alderville First Nation and the Tyendinaga Mohawk council on the naming.

In the grand scheme of issues, Brinklow says that he sees the brand new bridge as a giant step ahead in elevating the profile of indigenous names locally.

“Seeing indigenous presence, indigenous names creeping into the infrastructure of the city, creeping into the places, more obviously, I think can speak very strongly to little kids who might see that and think it’s super cool,” mentioned Brinklow.

While the bridge was constructed to attach the east finish to the central a part of Kingston, calling it the Waaban Crossing means it will probably additionally construct a connection to first nations tradition and honour the indigenous historical past of the lands it connects, and the water that flows beneath it.