Montreal has renamed Amherst Street to Atateken, a Mohawk name meaning "we are united," to honor Indigenous presence in the city [1].
This change represents a formal effort by the municipal government to foster reconciliation between the city and local Indigenous communities. By replacing a colonial-era name with one rooted in the territory's original languages, the city aims to integrate Indigenous identity into the urban landscape.
The Montreal city council approved the name change during a vote on June 13, 2023 [1]. The street, located in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood, spans approximately 1.2 kilometers [1].
Mayor Valérie Plante said the renaming of the street is a symbolic gesture that recognizes the Indigenous presence on the territory of Montreal [1]. The initiative is intended to serve as a permanent reminder of the peoples who inhabited the land prior to European settlement.
Kevin R. M., the chief of the Kahnawake Mohawk community, said Atateken means "we are all united," which serves as a reminder that the histories of the different communities are linked [1].
The decision follows a broader trend in Canadian municipalities to audit street names and landmarks. Officials said that the transition to Atateken is part of a strategy to promote visibility for Indigenous cultures within the public sphere. The city intends for the new signage to act as an educational tool for residents and visitors regarding the region's ancestral roots [1].
“Atateken means 'we are all united,' a reminder that our stories are linked.”
The renaming of Amherst Street is part of a larger geopolitical shift in Canada toward 'decolonizing' public spaces. By replacing names associated with British or French colonial figures with Indigenous terminology, Montreal is aligning itself with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to acknowledge the historical and ongoing presence of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in urban centers.
