BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Welcome to Ga'nigo:i:yoh or Unity Island Park. The new sign unveiled Friday brought a lot of smiles to members of the Seneca Nation, and led to plenty of dancing.
"It's a wonderful day, and it shows we can all get along all the time," said Seneca Nation President Maurice John.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is responsible for the park's new namesake.
"As the momentum continues to build in Buffalo, the name Unity Island is fitting and reflects the significant birth that is underway in our city," Brown said.
Common Council member Joe Golombek says he has received complaints for years about the park's former name because it was offensive to Native American women, but three years ago, he says Jodi Lynn Maracle became the first resident to actively try to change it.
"It's like that little first part of snow that starts an avalanche, and there were people that had spoken to me about changing the name of the island, but Jodi was the first one that really took the bull by the horns and moved forward with it."
Maracle says she is excited that her work paid off, but she is not complacent. She says there is always more Buffalo can do to create a respectful environment for all of its citizens.
"We see that in terms of like the Lancaster High School mascot, Lewiston just did away with Columbus Day, Portland did away with Columbus Day, and I think that's the next step in truly becoming and being a City of Good Neighbors," Maracle said.
Several more signs will be put up in the park over the next few months. They are all expected to be in place by the end of the year.