Highway 201 Renamed Chief Kahkewistahaw Way in Historic Ceremony

UPDATE: A significant milestone was achieved today as Highway 201 was officially renamed to Chief Kahkewistahaw Way during a heartfelt ceremony on October 13, 2023, at Kahkewistahaw First Nation. This momentous event honors the chief who founded the community and signed Treaty 4 in 1874.

Kahkewistahaw First Nation Chief Evan Taypotat expressed his pride, stating, “This is a beautiful, small win today.” The ceremony attracted community members and government officials who shared in the joy of this historic occasion. “It’s been a long time coming,” Chief Taypotat emphasized, highlighting the collaborative effort with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways to make this renaming possible.

The legacy of Chief Kahkewistahaw, remembered for bringing peace during turbulent times, is now immortalized in this new designation. Chief Taypotat remarked, “Here we are, 118 years later, sharing that he was not forgotten.” His words resonated deeply as he underscored the importance of reconciliation, urging for action beyond symbolic gestures.

“Wearing an orange shirt once a year is good, but we need more in 2025,” he added. Using a sports metaphor, he called for unity, saying, “When the Roughriders score, you don’t care who your neighbors are. You hug them, high five them. We should celebrate our community spirit every day.”

Local MLA Kevin Weedmark also spoke during the ceremony, praising the renaming as a step towards true reconciliation. “The recommendation was unanimous that this highway should take on the name Chief Kahkewistahaw,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Indigenous contributions in Saskatchewan.

Weedmark noted that Saskatchewan proudly honors Indigenous figures through road signs, citing other examples like Highway 11 as the Louis Riel Trail and Highway 219 as Chief Whitecap Trail. “These signs remind us that we are all treaty people,” he concluded.

This renaming event, located approximately 168 kilometers east of Regina, symbolizes a commitment to honoring Indigenous history and fostering community togetherness. As Chief Taypotat highlighted, the legacy of Chief Kahkewistahaw will now be a permanent part of the landscape, serving as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

With this historic renaming, the community looks forward to a future where collaboration and recognition flourish. The call for “reconcili-action” is clear, and today’s ceremony marks a pivotal moment in that ongoing process.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow the progress of community initiatives and reconciliation efforts in Saskatchewan.