Members of Ottawa’s community services committee approved the renaming of Emond Park in Vanier on Sept. 23, 2025. The final approval came from the city council on Oct. 8.
Shirley Tessier, residing near Emond Park, is preparing to present a speech at an upcoming Ottawa city committee meeting advocating for the park to be renamed in honor of Mary Papatsie. Papatsie, an Inuk woman, was discovered deceased three years ago just a block away on Deschamps Avenue.
Papatsie, a mother of 10 and the youngest of eight siblings, vanished in 2017 at the age of 39 while living on the streets. Her remains were found at a construction site near the Vanier Parkway in 2022.
Tessier, who knew Papatsie from the neighborhood, emphasized the importance of keeping her memory alive. She believes renaming the park after Papatsie would serve as a tribute to her and shed light on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The initiative to rename the park after Papatsie has been in progress for years. Following Papatsie’s burial in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, in 2023, Coun. Stéphanie Plante proposed the idea to the family as a way to honor Papatsie’s memory and raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women and girls.
Plante highlighted the lack of Inuit commemorative namings in Vanier and emphasized the significance of recognizing the Inuit population in the area. Despite some delays in the bureaucratic process, community support for the renaming remains strong.
Babette Tasse, a resident near Emond Park, expressed excitement about the renaming decision, echoing the sentiments of many in the community. However, Tessier voiced frustration over the unresolved status of the police investigation into Papatsie’s death, emphasizing the need for closure.
Overall, the renaming of Emond Park in honor of Mary Papatsie signifies a positive step towards honoring her memory and raising awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
