The City of Owen Sound will unveil a new sign to rename Kelso Beach to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
A ceremony will be held Saturday, September 30, at 9:30 a.m to change the name of the area to "Kelso Beach at Nawash Park."
People can join the celebration at the park’s main entrance, which will include remarks from Mayor Ian Boddy and Saugeen First Nation Chief Conrad Ritchie. Following the sign unveiling this Saturday, the Gichi-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden Committee will host a “Voices of the Children” Fire and Ceremony from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Giche-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden.
Both events are family-friendly and open to the public. The city says the ceremonies will provide an opportunity for Indigenous education and reconciliation within the community.
The city passed a bylaw June 12 to acknowledge the official renaming to Kelso Beach at Nawash Park. Members of the Gichi-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden Committee felt it was an important milestone in the City’s path to Reconciliation with Indigenous People in the community.
"A key objective of the City’s strategic plan is supporting inclusivity, diversity, and accountability in the community," said Mayor Ian Boddy. "We’re proud to reflect these goals with the official sign unveiling of Kelso Beach at Nawash Park as part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I encourage all City staff and citizens to attend these community events and listen and learn from the Indigenous community.”
The City has worked with the Giche Namewikwedong Reconciliation Garden Committee and Indigenous and community stakeholders to develop a detailed plan for the Reconciliation Garden to serve as a gathering place that features Indigenous art, history, and cultural references.
In June 2021, the City renamed the 10th Street Bridge as the Giche-name-wiikwedong Bridge.
The City has recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. On Friday, September 29, City Hall and all offices will be closed, and services will operate on a holiday schedule.