Item - 2026.EC30.4
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by the Economic and Community Development Committee on July 14, 2026 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on July 29, 30 and 31, 2026.
EC30.4 - Lower Don Parkland Indigenous Naming - Progress Update
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- 10 - Spadina - Fort York, 11 - University - Rosedale, 13 - Toronto Centre, 14 - Toronto - Danforth
Caution: Preliminary decisions, motions, votes and rulings are shown below. Any decisions, motions, votes or rulings should not be considered final until the meeting is complete, and the decisions for this meeting have been confirmed.
Committee Recommendations
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to continue to advance an Indigenous-led naming process with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and report back to City Council in the second quarter of 2027 with a chosen Anishinaabemowin name, either historical or newly gifted, for the Lower Don parkland system and trail; and an associated narrative for public interpretation and signage.
Origin
Summary
This report responds to City Council direction to undertake due diligence on the proposed use of the name “Wonscotonach” for the Lower Don parkland system and trail, and to engage Indigenous communities to confirm an appropriate approach to naming of this parkland system and trail.
Through research and engagement conducted between 2018 and 2026, including recent discussions with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and leading academic research, staff have heard that there is not consensus on the accuracy, spelling or interpretation of “Wonscotonach,” though it is related to historical Anishinaabemowin place names of the area.
Recent engagement, including a Circle discussion hosted with MCFN leadership, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and language speakers in April 2026, affirmed that further discussions are needed and the process should involve Indigenous naming protocols. MCFN has advised that a decision on naming should be informed by a land-based process, including a site visit in summer 2026, to determine whether a historically accurate name can be reclaimed or a new name should be gifted based on contemporary relationships to the land.
This report recommends that Council authorize staff to continue this Indigenous-led process and report back in the second quarter of 2027 with a chosen Anishinaabemowin name for the Lower Don parkland system and trail, along with an interpretive narrative for public use.
The naming initiative will also inform a subsequent, collaborative planning process for the Lower Don parkland system, including future park improvements, programming, and Indigenous placekeeping, to be advanced in partnership with Indigenous communities beginning in 2026.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-288861.pdf