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Committee backs renaming Laura Street as Algonquin Way to honor Algonquin House
Summary
The committee voted to forward to the full council a resolution to designate Laura Street (turn off Broad Street serving the Algonquin House) as Algonquin Way, recognizing the Algonquin House’s cultural and community role.
The Providence City Council Committee on Urban Development and Renewal Planning on Monday approved a resolution to be forwarded to the full council that would designate Laura Street — the turn off Broad Street in front of the Algonquin House — as Algonquin Way in recognition of the Algonquin House and its role in the Native American and South Providence communities.
Rico, speaking for staff and archives work, said the resolution was developed in consultation with the Providence City Archives and Daryl Waldron, executive director of the Rhode Island Indian Council. He read a prepared blurb: “The Providence City Council seeks to honor the Algonquin House by designating Laura Street as Algonquin Way.”
Staff noted that the Rhode Island Indian Council’s Algonquin House, founded in 1975 and later housed in the Steer House, has hosted cultural events, workshops and community programs and has served as a resource for Indigenous and other South Providence organizations. The resolution cites that the term “Algonquin” has been interpreted locally as meaning “people under the big house,” a phrasing staff said resonated with residents’ memories of the center as a gathering place.
Councilwoman Graves moved the motion to pass the resolution to the full council; Councilwoman Barrage seconded. The committee approved the measure by voice vote. The resolution will go to the full Providence City Council for final action and, if adopted, would direct the Department of Public Works to place honorary signage.
