42°55′30″N 78°54′13″W / 42.92500°N 78.90361°W Unity Island is an approximately 160-acre (0.65 km2)[1] island separating the Niagara River and the Black Rock Canal, located within the city limits of Buffalo, New York. The historic island is home to two public parks and a water treatment facility. It is connected to the mainland by a two-span swing bridge.[2]
The island's original name in the Seneca language is Deyowenoguhdoh. From about the time of the War of 1812 to July 2015, the island was also known by the English name, Squaw Island. In June 2015, after being petitioned by Jodi Lynn Maracle, a Mohawk resident of Buffalo, and members of the Seneca Nation of New York, who considered the name to be racist and derogatory toward Native American women,[3][4] the members of the Buffalo Common Council voted unanimously to change the island's name to Unity Island.[5] The new name was formally adopted by the city in October 2015, with new signs reflecting the name change were installed on the island;[6][7] the U.S. Board on Geographic Names recognized the new name in May 2017.[8]
- ^ "Quarterly Review List 425". U.S. Board on Geographic Names. September 23, 2016. pp. 37–38. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ https://buffaloah.com/a/water/ferry/ Ferry Street Lift Bridge
- ^ Schulman, Susan (16 January 2015). "Council to consider name change for Squaw Island". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ Harold McNeil (23 June 2015). "Farewell, Squaw Island. Hello, Unity Island". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ McNeil, Harold (July 6, 2015). "Unity Island becomes official name of Niagara River plot". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ Caya, Chris (October 9, 2015). "Sign goes up for newly-renamed Unity Island". WBFO 88.7. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ "New Signage Identifies Newly-Named Unity Island". WBEN 930am. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ "GNIC Detail - Unity Island". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved March 21, 2020.