Renaming of Indian Road
The City has started work to co-create a process to rename Indian Road.
On Tuesday, June 17 2025, Council passed a motion asking staff to initiate a process to rename Indian Road. This work involves engaging with Indigenous community members and organizations and working with homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name. This engagement process has included Talking Circles, resident meetings, surveys and additional discussions.
Staff will report back to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcomes of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Parkette A, and Indian Road Parkette B.
Shortlist Feedback
Residents of Indian Road now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the shortlist of names. If you are a resident of Indian Road and would like to submit feedback on the shortlist, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca before May 22, 2026.
Next Steps
Staff are working to review all project feedback and finalize a report that will be brought forward to City Council.
Participants will be notified of the date the report goes to Council and provided with information about attending as a delegation.
The City has started work to co-create a process to rename Indian Road.
On Tuesday, June 17 2025, Council passed a motion asking staff to initiate a process to rename Indian Road. This work involves engaging with Indigenous community members and organizations and working with homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name. This engagement process has included Talking Circles, resident meetings, surveys and additional discussions.
Staff will report back to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcomes of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Parkette A, and Indian Road Parkette B.
Shortlist Feedback
Residents of Indian Road now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the shortlist of names. If you are a resident of Indian Road and would like to submit feedback on the shortlist, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca before May 22, 2026.
Next Steps
Staff are working to review all project feedback and finalize a report that will be brought forward to City Council.
Participants will be notified of the date the report goes to Council and provided with information about attending as a delegation.
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Project Update: May 2026
Over the past few months, staff have continued to engage with key participant groups on the renaming of Indian Road, following a Motion passed by Kingston City Council in to change the name in June 2025.
Ongoing Engagement
Two additional Talking Circles took place in early 2026. During these sessions, Indigenous community members reaffirmed a commitement to participate in the renaming of Indian Road.
Using suggested themes and name ideas from residents of Indian Road, and with support from language learners and speakers, a shortlist of Ojibwe names was developed. The list of names was brought back to participants’ own networks for additional feedback, reviewed by Emergency Services staff and finalized in April 2026.
In early April, 44 community members, including residents of Indian Road, family members and nearby neighbours, attended an in-person meeting at Lord Strathcona Public School. A full summary of this meeting, including an overview of engagement to date and topics covered in the Q&A session was shared with attendees. Resident feedback was recorded and will be included in the report to City Council.
Shortlist Feedback
Residents of Indian Road have now been given an opportunity to provide feedback on the shortlist of names. This information was shared with residents via mailed letters, as well as with meeting participants and project followers by email.
If you are a resident of Indian Road and would like to submit feedback on the shortlist, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca before May 22, 2026.
Next Steps
Staff are working to review all project feedback and finalize a report that will be brought forward to City Council.
Participants will be notified of the date the report goes to Council and provided with information about attending as a delegation.
Over the past few months, staff have continued to engage with key participant groups on the renaming of Indian Road, following a Motion passed by Kingston City Council in to change the name in June 2025.
Ongoing Engagement
Two additional Talking Circles took place in early 2026. During these sessions, Indigenous community members reaffirmed a commitement to participate in the renaming of Indian Road.
Using suggested themes and name ideas from residents of Indian Road, and with support from language learners and speakers, a shortlist of Ojibwe names was developed. The list of names was brought back to participants’ own networks for additional feedback, reviewed by Emergency Services staff and finalized in April 2026.
In early April, 44 community members, including residents of Indian Road, family members and nearby neighbours, attended an in-person meeting at Lord Strathcona Public School. A full summary of this meeting, including an overview of engagement to date and topics covered in the Q&A session was shared with attendees. Resident feedback was recorded and will be included in the report to City Council.
Shortlist Feedback
Residents of Indian Road have now been given an opportunity to provide feedback on the shortlist of names. This information was shared with residents via mailed letters, as well as with meeting participants and project followers by email.
If you are a resident of Indian Road and would like to submit feedback on the shortlist, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca before May 22, 2026.
Next Steps
Staff are working to review all project feedback and finalize a report that will be brought forward to City Council.
Participants will be notified of the date the report goes to Council and provided with information about attending as a delegation.
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Project Update: December 2025
Over the past few months, City staff have begun working to rename Indian Road. As directed by Council's June 17 Motion, this process includes engaging with residents affected by the name change, Indigenous service organizations and community members and Indigenous Nations with a recognized relationship to the land.
Engagement to date
An Indigenous Talking Circle was hosted on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Thirteen people attended and the meeting was focused on co-creating a process to move forward.
A meeting with residents occurred on Monday, Nov. 24, with approximately 20 people inContinue reading
Over the past few months, City staff have begun working to rename Indian Road. As directed by Council's June 17 Motion, this process includes engaging with residents affected by the name change, Indigenous service organizations and community members and Indigenous Nations with a recognized relationship to the land.
Engagement to date
An Indigenous Talking Circle was hosted on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Thirteen people attended and the meeting was focused on co-creating a process to move forward.
A meeting with residents occurred on Monday, Nov. 24, with approximately 20 people in attendance. This session provided an overview of Council’s direction and work completed to date. Staff also heard concerns and suggestions related to the address change.
Both sessions provided important opportunities for dialogue, ensuring the renaming process reflects reconciliation objectives and considers community perspectives.
Get Involved: Residents of Indian Road
Residents are invited to share personal stories, histories and photos, as well as comments on features of the road, to help inform the process and potentially be used in future commemoration projects. We’re also looking for feedback specific to address documentation and input on how the City can support you through the transition.
If you are a resident of Indian Road, please reach out to GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca to share your feedback.
Get Involved: Indigenous Community Members
The next Indigenous Talking Circle is expected to take place in early 2026. We welcome community members who identify as members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities to join us for this conversation.
For more information, please reach out to GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca.
Next Steps
We will gather feedback received throughout this process and keep contributors informed on the next steps in the process.
Staff will continue to build on these discussions and report back to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcomes of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Park, Indian Road Parkette A and Indian Road Parkette B.
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Project Update: October 2025
The City has started work to co-create a process to rename Indian Road. On Tuesday, June 17 2025, Council passed a motion asking staff to initiate a process to rename Indian Road. This work involves engaging with Indigenous community members and organizations and working with homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name.
The renaming process is intended to be collaborative and as such, is subject to change. Currently, staff from Planning Services and Community Development, Wellbeing & IIDEA are planning an introductory Talking Circle for Indigenous community members, as well as an engagement session withContinue reading
The City has started work to co-create a process to rename Indian Road. On Tuesday, June 17 2025, Council passed a motion asking staff to initiate a process to rename Indian Road. This work involves engaging with Indigenous community members and organizations and working with homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name.
The renaming process is intended to be collaborative and as such, is subject to change. Currently, staff from Planning Services and Community Development, Wellbeing & IIDEA are planning an introductory Talking Circle for Indigenous community members, as well as an engagement session with Indian Road residents. These sessions are expected to take place in late fall 2025. These are the first steps in the process.
Staff will report back to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcomes of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Parkette A, and Indian Road Parkette B.
Get Involved
The first step of the process will be a collaborative Talking Circle with Indigenous community members. Staff have begun direct outreach with Indigenous service organizations, community members and Indigenous nations with a recognized relationship to the land. If you are an Indigenous community member who would like to be involved in this process, please reach out to GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca to get involved.
We are inviting residents of Indian Road to join us for a virtual Zoom meeting on Nov. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. Residents will have the chance to share their feedback, learn more about next steps and contribute to the renaming process. Please note that this engagement is only open to residents of Indian Road. If you live on the road, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca to sign-up.
Further updates will be posted to this project page and sent via email to project followers.
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June 17 Motion: Renaming of Indian Road, as Amended
Whereas Indian Road is a municipal road that runs through an established residential community located in Kingston Central that has approximately sixty-two residential properties that abut it; and
Whereas there are three City parks located on Indian Road that are referred to as Indian Road Park, Indian Road Parkette A and Indian Road Parkette B; and
Whereas the use of the word “Indian” is outdated and derogatory when referencing Canada’s First Peoples, Metis and Inuit and/or Indigenous persons and cultures more broadly; and
Whereas City of Kingston By-Law Number 2005-98, the Civic Addressing and Road Naming, provides that “names that are discriminatory, offensive, or derogatory, shall not be permitted”; and
Whereas street renaming should take into consideration feedback from impacted residents and community members; and
Whereas some municipalities offer compensation to residents impacted by road renaming;
Therefore Be It Resolved That staff in the Planning Services and Community Development, Wellbeing& IIDEA departments be directed to initiate a process to rename Indian Road, and work with the current homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name; and
That this process include consultation with:
residents directly affected by the proposed name change;
Indigenous service organizations that service indigenous peoples in Kingston, such as but not limited to, the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest, Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, Kingston Aboriginal Community Information Network, the Molly Brant Foundation, and the Kagita Mikam Métis Nation of Ontario
Indigenous nations with a recognized relationship to the land in question, approached respectfully on a nation-to-nation basis, in keeping with principles of Indigenous land stewardship such as but not limited to the Mohawks of Treaty 57, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat peoples; and
That staff be directed to return to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcome of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Parkette A and Indian Road Parkette B; and
That recognizing that the neighbourhood including and surrounding Indian Road carries a reconciliatory commemorative history embedded in its very toponym, one that predates the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the City study, verify, and commemorate this history through appropriate interpretive signage or installations in the neighbourhood; and
That this reporting back include financial considerations associated with the renaming, to both the municipality and to private property owners.
Whereas Indian Road is a municipal road that runs through an established residential community located in Kingston Central that has approximately sixty-two residential properties that abut it; and
Whereas there are three City parks located on Indian Road that are referred to as Indian Road Park, Indian Road Parkette A and Indian Road Parkette B; and
Whereas the use of the word “Indian” is outdated and derogatory when referencing Canada’s First Peoples, Metis and Inuit and/or Indigenous persons and cultures more broadly; and
Whereas City of Kingston By-Law Number 2005-98, the Civic Addressing and Road Naming, provides that “names that are discriminatory, offensive, or derogatory, shall not be permitted”; and
Whereas street renaming should take into consideration feedback from impacted residents and community members; and
Whereas some municipalities offer compensation to residents impacted by road renaming;
Therefore Be It Resolved That staff in the Planning Services and Community Development, Wellbeing& IIDEA departments be directed to initiate a process to rename Indian Road, and work with the current homeowners on the street on the transition to a new road name; and
That this process include consultation with:
residents directly affected by the proposed name change;
Indigenous service organizations that service indigenous peoples in Kingston, such as but not limited to, the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest, Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, Kingston Aboriginal Community Information Network, the Molly Brant Foundation, and the Kagita Mikam Métis Nation of Ontario
Indigenous nations with a recognized relationship to the land in question, approached respectfully on a nation-to-nation basis, in keeping with principles of Indigenous land stewardship such as but not limited to the Mohawks of Treaty 57, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat peoples; and
That staff be directed to return to Council in the first half of 2026 with the outcome of the renaming process for Indian Road, Indian Road Parkette A and Indian Road Parkette B; and
That recognizing that the neighbourhood including and surrounding Indian Road carries a reconciliatory commemorative history embedded in its very toponym, one that predates the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the City study, verify, and commemorate this history through appropriate interpretive signage or installations in the neighbourhood; and
That this reporting back include financial considerations associated with the renaming, to both the municipality and to private property owners.
Follow Project
Who's Listening
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Director, Community Development, Wellbeing and IIDEA
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Director, Planning Services
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Indigenous Initiatives Manager
AB
Key Dates
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November 12 2025
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November 24 2025
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January 28 2026
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April 08 2026
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