Culture
Yellowknife proceeding with 50th Ave renaming
As of June 21st, Franklin Avenue will be renamed to Wıìlıìdeh Avenue
The renaming of Yellowknife’s Franklin Avenue finally has a date.
Following a request made by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, a discussion has been held by city residents about renaming 50th Avenue.
As of June 21st, the street will be officially renamed to Wıìlıìdeh Avenue. The word Wıìlıìdeh means “place of Coney Fish,” which were abundant in the area. The name connects to the land, language, and history of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. By bringing Wıìlıìdeh into one of the most visible and frequently used parts of the city, these stories and connections become part of how residents and visitors experience and understand Yellowknife every day.
The street was originally named after Sir John Franklin, who explored much of Canada’s Arctic regions while searching for the Northwest Passage. While he may be a notable figure in the history of the North, his specific connection to the City of Yellowknife is rather minimal.
YKDFN Chief Fred Sangris explained in a statement that “John Franklin arrived at Yellowknife Bay and spent only 24 hours at Akaitcho’s village. Chief Akaitcho welcomed Franklin and organized YKDFN guides to take the expedition to the Coppermine River and the Arctic Coast, across the lands YKDFN has been a steward of for 7,000 years – since the time of Giant Beavers.”
Chief Sangris went on to thank the City for recognizing the YKDFN, their history, and traditional names.
The City and the YKDFN will be holding a ceremonial unveiling event for the new name on June 20th, with additional details to be shared later. The City will also be working with residents, businesses, and other partners to handle any additional questions or concerns that arise. Signage replacement and updates to City systems will occur throughout the summer, with completion anticipated by Fall.
