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A new street in Portage la Prairie may soon honour one of the city’s most respected community advocates.
The proposal to name a roadway through the former site of the Agassiz Youth Centre “Gladys Cook Way” was brought forward at last night’s city council meeting. A final decision is expected at the April 28 council meeting.
The area has deep personal and professional ties to Cook’s legacy.
Cook made Portage her home in 1950, and over the decades became a powerful advocate for healing, reconciliation, and community support, particularly through her work in corrections, addiction recovery, and support for Residential School survivors. Her many recognitions include the Order of Manitoba, the Governor General’s Award, and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, among others.
Gladys passed away in Portage la Prairie on May 9, 2009. Her name, Meier said, has been considered for potential street naming for several years.
“You’re going to see that the province is the one that actually delegates the authority to the city by policy, to be able to name the streets within our community,” said Councillor Preston Meier. “This one was put forward by the Heritage Committee as well and had been on our list for a number of years, amongst other names.”
Council reviews that list whenever a new road is developed and weighs its relevance to the area.
“We look at the area, we try to take history and everything into consideration, and then Council comes up with a name,” Meier said. “We just thought in this case this was the most appropriate for that arterial road.”
The location of the proposed street is especially meaningful – it's the same grounds where the Gladys Cook Education Centre once stood, a previous tribute to her impact on youth and community development in the region.
Meier noted the importance of aligning the street naming with their broader commitment to reconciliation efforts.
“It’s really one of Council’s top strategic priorities to take meaningful steps in reconciliation with our Indigenous partners,” he said.
In recognition of her Dakota heritage, the city would also plan to include her spirit name, “Topahdewin”, on a secondary sign. Translated, it means “she stands with spirits in four directions.”
“There have been consultations and conversations with Gladys’s family, and they feel it would be an honour to be able to name the road after her,” Meier added.
Construction on the new road is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026, at which point a formal naming ceremony would take place.
“We would obviously invite the family, and of course any citizens or residents, in memory of the lady who gave an immeasurable amount of time to our city,” said Meier.
Council’s vote on April 28 will determine whether Gladys Cook’s name becomes a lasting part of the city’s landscape.