Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park opens in Winnipeg Centennial neighbourhood [Video]

People living in Winnipeg’s Centennial neighbourhood have a new park to call their own.

On Saturday, the community celebrated the grand opening of Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park on Lizzie Street. The name translates to “Painted Sky Woman” in Anishinaabemowin – the traditional name of Ka Ni Kanichihk founder Leslie Spillet.

The greenspace (previously called Lizzie Park) was renamed Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park in 2018 to honour Spillet’s decades of advocacy, mentorship, and activism in the Indigenous community.

“I just pray for joy and peace, love and kindness for everyone that comes and visits this park,” Spillet said. “Whether they come here to play or they come here to sleep… it’s a place of safety and kindness.”

The park’s transformation includes a basketball half-court, water-filling station, upgraded lighting, and new seating areas throughout the space. The total cost was around $355,500 – a joint investment by different levels of government.

Former Point Douglas councillor Mike …