Kanétskare Elementary chosen as new name for HWDSB elementary school

An HWDSB elementary school has a new name that pays tribute to the Indigenous Mohawk heritage, language and land where the school is located.

Kanétskare Elementary, pronounced Ga-nét-sga-re, is the new name for the school formerly known as Ryerson Elementary. Kanétskare is a Mohawk word that means 'By the Bay'.

In June of 2021 HWDSB trustees voted to create an Indigenous informed process, through ethical engagement and consultation with local Indigenous communities, that would be used to rename the school.

The Naming Circle that gathered to collaborate on the new name consisted of a variety of community members, including student, staff, parent, Indigenous education and Indigenous elder voices.

"Student and First Nations perspectives are so important," said Fallon Noakes, grade 6 student at Kanétskare Elementary and member of the Naming Circle.

Noakes is Anishinaabe, citizen of the Anishinabek Nation, member of Nipissing First Nation and said it was an honour to take part in the collaborative renaming process. 

"Our languages were supposed to present along with the European ones from the beginning," Noakes said, "everyone now will have a chance to learn and hopefully it will inspire them to learn more."

Noakes said this experience really allowed a chance for the community, students, teachers and school board to be a part of the process together.

"It's a chance to educate, share our culture, teachings and language. To try to help people understand the experiences and perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people." 

The school's website acknowledges that Egerton Ryerson, the school's previous namesake, was an architect of Canada's residential school system that committed cultural genocide against Indigenous children and families. 

The renaming of Ryerson Elementary was the first opportunity to put some of the new Indigenous informed school naming process created by the HWDSB into practice, Gerry Smith, superintendent of student achievement, said.

"This process will have an impact on what the new school naming process for Hamilton Wentworth District School Board looks like, so it's an exciting time with some change," Smith said. 

He said the intent was to use a process that was both locally relevant, responsible and responsive, keeping with the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

"As a school team, we are honoured to have been part of a larger process as HWDSB reviews its school naming policy and ensures all school names our board's mission, vision, values and the application of human rights, decolonization, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles," Kanétskare Elementary principal, Mark Hopkins, said in a letter to the school community.

Through the Naming Circle, student and public consultation and collaboration, Smith said there was an opportunity to draw upon local knowledge while involving the community.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the board to learn and the students to really understand that learning happens in a different way because they learned so much through this process," Smith said.

After the new name is ratified by the school board, Smith said it will be time for the communications department to work with the school community to celebrate the change. 

Smith said they will work to determine things like new school colours and a mascot, as well as an in-person celebration in the fall.

"Our commitment was to work with indigenous communities before, during and after this process – and we will be fulfilling that commitment," Smith said.

"We're really excited to be able to see this process through, not just for our kids, but also with our commitment to truth and reconciliation," he said, "and really aligning with that Two Row Wampum, walking with our indigenous partners."