Inuktitut name goes to new Ottawa park

Here’s a look at Nimiq Park, located at 5058 North Bluff St. in Ottawa. (IMAGE FROM GOOGLE MAPS)

The Ottawa region has a new park — and its first with an Inuktitut name, Nimiq.

The choice of names was “inspired by the city’s strong ties to the technology and innovation sector and in recognition of the importance of promoting science, technology and innovation to children and young people in the community,” said a Dec. 5 news release.

Nimiq, an Inuktitut work that describes a force that binds things together, is also the name of orbiting satellites owned by Telesat Canada.

“The extremely important role the high-tech community has played in shaping our local economy, workforce and education system cannot be understated,” said Ottawa mayor Jim Watson at the official naming ceremony. “The City’s partnerships with these technology leaders will help us inspire our youth to open their minds to the endless potential of science and technology.”

Nimiq Park, located at 5058 North Bluff St., will feature a plaque explaining the significance of its name and its ties to Telesat, which has so far launched five Nimiq satellites into space, the first in 1999.