The Town of Okotoks will host a special naming ceremony for Piistoo Park at the former Dewdney Park grounds at the Okotoks Art Gallery.
The event, set for Tuesday, June 21 at 3 p.m., will include a message from Mayor Tanya Thorn and, in partnership with the Indigenous communities of southern Alberta, two elders will be in attendance as well as drummers from Siksika Nation.
The name “Piistoo” was selected for the park following consultation with elders in the community. Piistoo is a Blackfoot word meaning “nighthawk,” which plays a significant role in Napi stories.
This park was formerly named Dewdney Park to recognize the period in the Town’s history when it was called the Village of Dewdney. The village was renamed Dewdney in 1891 to honour former Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney. After discovering there was already a Town called Dewdney in British Columbia, this community reverted to its original name, Okotoks, in 1897.
In June 2021, Okotoks council was presented with a proposition to remove the name Dewdney from Dewdney Park, citing the namesake's connection to the residential school system among other atrocities. The re-naming was directed as a step towards reconciliation and respect for children subjected to the terror of residential schools.
Members of the public are welcome to join the ceremony and help the Town recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
The Town has a number of additional activities planned throughout the month of June to recognize National Indigenous History Month. This includes exhibits at the Okotoks Museum and Archives, and an Indigenous beading class at the art gallery with Angela Bear Chief. For more details, visit Okotoks.ca/Indigenous.
