Last Duel Park via perth.ca
At Perth council’s May 12th committee meeting, a delegation presented their request to change the name of Last Duel Park. Francine Desjardins and Mary Wright of the Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation wanted to rename the park “Where we gather in a good way – Ka ije Mino Negockedadiik – in recognition of Indigenous peoples and traditions and the existing Park features of the medicine garden and healing circle.
Desjardins noted the name could be difficult for English speaking people to pronounce.
Councillor Isabel McRae suggested applying the indigenous title only to the area in the park where the medicine garden and healing circle are currently placed. Council’s committee agreed to direct staff to bring back a report on that suggestion.
Councillor Barry Smith was the sole nay vote on the amendment.
The delegation noted that their research revealed the last duel in Canada occurred in St John’s Newfoundland in 1873, which wasn’t part of the country at that time, and that the last duel in Perth happened on a farm near what is now South Street in 1833.
Story by Brian Turner
