Buffalo Meadows Park, Regina, renaming

Righting Relations Regina members 

Righting Relations Regina members 

Back Row Left to Right: Miranda Hanus, Yordanos Tesfamariam, Jean Hillabold,  Mirtha Rivera, Lisa Odle

Front Row, Left to Right: Susana Deranger, Florence Stratton

Back Row, Right to Left: Tracy Desjarlais and Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway, Buffalo Peoples Art Institute; Rhonda Rosenberg, Executive Director, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan. 

On June 17, 2021, members of Righting Relations Regina joined City of Regina dignitaries and community leaders in the heart of the city to celebrate the renaming of Dewdney Park and Dewdney Pool to Buffalo Meadows Park and Pool.

According to Righting Relations Regina Coordinator Lisa Odle, 

“This one small step is significant. It marks the changing attitudes in the province (of Saskatchewan), and a time for the truth of the real Canadian history to be told . . . old symbols and systems (must) be challenged and replaced with systems and processes that truly promote respect and dignity of all people residing in this province and country.”

Regina community advocate and long-time Righting Relations Regina member, Susana Deranger added, 

“The day the park was renamed, I felt pride. It was a long journey but it finally became reality.”

The Righting Relations Regina journey of support for this change started four years ago by collaborating with Joely Big Eagle-Kequahtooway of the Buffalo Peoples Art Institute. 

The strategy included bringing awareness of the colonial history of Edgar Dewdney, to community members with a BBQ at the park in 2018; letters to the local newspaper and subsequent media coverage; on-line meetings with city council, (throughout an already challenging 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic), followed by educating a newly elected mayor and city councillors in 2021; keeping momentum to gather names for petitions both in person (Thank-you, Florence!) and on-line.

Another notable partnership to help visibly educate the general public was the Buffalo Peoples Art Institute joining Common Weal Community Arts to bring incredible artistic energy to buffalo banners hung from street signs, revisioning Dewdney Avenue as Buffalo Avenue.

“This renaming was a first step towards decolonization,” said Deranger. “Decolonization is important to make things right, to heal us all. I also felt hope this would not be the end of the road and next steps include the renaming of Dewdney Avenue.” 

“The honour of one is the honour of all. The dishonour of one is the dishonour of all. Come on Regina, honour us all.” - Susana Deranger 


Sources / Further Reading:



Neximar Alarcon