New Island in Toronto’s Port Lands Named Ookwemin Minising, Celebrating Indigenous Heritage
Toronto – A new chapter unfolded for Toronto’s waterfront today as Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) revealed the names for the new island and park forming in the Port Lands. The event, held alongside Elder Shelley Charles from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and the Indigenous Advisory Circle, marked a significant step toward reconciliation and environmental restoration.
The new island will be called Ookwemin Minising, meaning “place of the black cherry trees” in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin. The adjacent park will be named Biidaasige Park, meaning “sunlight shining towards us.” These names are gifts from the Indigenous Advisory Circle, which conducted a comprehensive year-long engagement process, meeting seven times to walk the land, reflect on its history, and share cultural stories.
New island in the Port Lands named Ookwemin Minising, place of black cherry trees
News release: https://t.co/qYZsY6lk8l pic.twitter.com/LfDs50FYVX
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) November 1, 2024
The island’s name honors the natural heritage of black cherry trees that once flourished along the Toronto waterfront. According to the Advisory Circle, this choice signifies the Indigenous communities’ vision of ecological renewal, rooted in a shared commitment to preserving native plant species. The ecological design for the Port Lands Flood Protection project, led by the MinoKamik Collective under Elder Shelley Charles’ guidance, will emphasize native vegetation, reflecting this legacy.
Councillor Fletcher spoke about the significance of this moment, highlighting Toronto’s effort to restore Indigenous presence and voices to the waterfront, a place of historical importance for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities for thousands of years. The announcement comes as part of ongoing collaboration between the City, LURA Consulting, and Indigenous partners to ensure culturally respectful and meaningful naming processes.
Environmental and Cultural Restoration
The Port Lands Flood Protection project is reshaping Toronto’s southeastern landscape by renaturalizing the Don River’s mouth, creating this new island surrounded by Lake Ontario, the Keating Channel, and the river’s new course. As the mouth transforms, it will protect approximately 240 hectares from flood risk and make the land viable for development, including a climate-positive community of 16,000 residents and 3,000 jobs.
The park’s name, Biidaasige, symbolizes a new dawn for waterway and ecological restoration while honoring the Indigenous water walker movement initiated by Anishinaabe Elder Josephine Mandamin. The park reflects a hope for environmental respect, a theme central to the broader goals of the Port Lands project.
A Step Toward Reconciliation
The decision to allow Indigenous communities to name the island and park signifies a tangible move toward reconciliation. At an April Executive Committee meeting, Toronto City Council committed to this collaborative effort, emphasizing that it goes beyond symbolism to reinforce Indigenous leadership, cultural values, and ways of knowing.
The broader effort ties into the City’s ongoing Reconciliation Action Plan (2022-2032), which outlines concrete actions to address historical and systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities. These names embody the interconnectedness of land, water, and culture, reflecting Indigenous wisdom and stewardship of the natural environment.
SOURCE City of Toronto
