UMVA has learned that a presentation on "Indigenous wayfinding" at the Toronto Transit Commission's board meeting was met with a lukewarm reception, despite the chairman touting it as a pet project.
The presentation, which proposed using animal icons inspired by Indigenous teachings to help riders navigate the transit system, was seen as a potential way to "decolonize" the way people orient themselves. However, not all board members were convinced, with some expressing concerns about "information overload" and the potential for confusion.
According to information obtained by UMVA, one board member, Paul Ainslie, broke ranks with his fellow city councillors, saying he had constituents who were "insulted" by the idea and insisted on a formal vote. The vote passed with five in favour, but served as a rebuke to the chairman, Jamaal Myers, who had hoped for a more enthusiastic reception.
The presenter, Cameron Stewart, told the board that "every TTC station rests on Indigenous land," and that his proposal would serve as "a long overdue acknowledgment." He had worked in Myers' office for months and had developed the presentation as a year-end project for his fellowship.
However, not everyone was convinced that this was the right approach. One citizen commissioner, Liane Kim, said that there were "far more pressing priorities to worry about," citing safety and financial pressures. Ainslie agreed, saying that he feared the proposed system would confuse people and that there were better ways to address truth and reconciliation within the TTC.
Myers had suggested the idea to Stewart, and claimed that he and vice-chairman Joe Mihevc had come up with the concept. Despite this, the presentation was seen as a divisive issue, with some members questioning whether it was a worthwhile use of resources.
Councillor Alejandra Bravo suggested that the TTC's current system, which uses letters and numbers to guide riders, could be supplemented with images of Canadian wildlife, such as turtles and birds. "We all have different kinds of brains," she said, arguing that a more inclusive approach could be beneficial.
The debate highlighted the challenges of balancing cultural sensitivity with practical considerations, and the TTC board's decision to simply receive the presentation, rather than taking action, was seen as a compromise.
