Fredericton trails given new Wolastoqey names

Three trails in Fredericton have been given Wolastoqey names in an attempt to help preserve the language, according to the city.

The North Riverfront, South Riverfront and Cliffetrailswill keep their English namesbut three new Wolastoqey names will be added.

The Wolastoqey names will be included in signage along with English and French.

Elder Imelda Perley says it's important to have Wolastoqey names included as they've been suppressed for so long.

WATCH | Elder Imelda Perley explains the meaning behind the words:

See Fredericton's new Wolastoqey trail signs

4 days ago

Duration 2:38

The North Riverfront, South Riverfront and Cliffe trails in Fredericton will now have Wolastoqey names included on their signage, along with English and French.

"We have names for all these places, but they were replaced. And so it's almost as if it was a hint that we needed to be replaced," said Perley after a ceremony announcing the new names on Monday.

"This is almost as if it's a rebirth."

Chief Allan Polchies of Sitansisk First Nation, also known as St. Mary's, said moves like this should havebeen made long ago, but the fact they are being made paves a path for future generations.

"When my child brings his children down here and walks and identifies with the place names, then we know we're doing something," he said.

Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers said the new trilingual signage will help others understand the prominent place Wolastoqiyikpeople have in Fredericton.

"I think that we have a real sense of Wolastoqeypeople's place and prominence," said Rogers."Adding the language, I think, further enhances that and reinforces that."

The new names

North Riverfront, which runs on the north side along the St. John River, also known as the Wolastoq, from Nashwaaksis Plaza to the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, will also be known as Kansuhsaptuwey, which means trail of ancestors.

South Riverfront, which runs along the river on the south side from the Delta to Morrell Park, will also be known as Wapapaptuwey, or trail of wampum belt teachings.

Cliffe Trail, which runs along Cliffe Street on the north side, will now also be known as Kci-Lakutuwakonaptuwey, or trail of great peace and friendship.

The city said the new names came about in consultation with the Wolastoqiyikcommunity and the Fredericton Trails Coalition.

Andr Arseneault, former president of the Fredericton Trails Coalition, said the coalition had received lots of feedback from people surprised about the lack of Indigenous information and language around the trails.

"We decided as a non-profit charity that one of the things we could do in order to participate in truth and reconciliation was to work with the city in order to come up with some names," said Arseneault.

Rogers cited the city's growing use of Wolastoqey on signage as a way to keep the language and culture alive.

"It is now part of our thoughts moving forward. I think that's really what's most important is it's now being considered, whereas not too long ago it wouldn't have even been considered," said Rogers.

Perley said the continuous process of language revitalization speaks to her, because she lost her knowledge of Wolastoqeyfor years because it wasn't allowed in day schools.

She saidshe now helps Wolastoqiyikfamilies name their children and works with schools to make sure they know how important those names are.

Her work with the language made today even more special.

"Seeing it for the first time,I got really emotional," said Perley.