Mary Papatsie, an Inuk woman whose remains were found in Ottawa in 2022, was buried in her home community of Pangnirtung in 2023. A park in the Vanier neighbourhood will be renamed in her memory. (File photo courtesy of the Papatsie family)
Ottawa set to unveil Mary Papatsie Park in Vanier
Renaming ceremony scheduled for May 5
A park in Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood is set to get a new name next week in tribute to Mary Papatsie, an Inuk woman whose death remains under investigation.
Papatsie, originally from Pangnirtung, was 39 years old when she was reported missing in Ottawa in 2017.
Her remains were discovered in Vanier in 2022. Her death is being investigated as a homicide by the Ottawa Police Service.
Ottawa city council approved the renaming of Emond Park to Mary Papatsie Park in October 2025.
The renaming ceremony is set for May 5 and will coincide with Red Dress Day, a day of remembrance for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been lost to violence.
The event is being organized by Papatsie’s family, Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante and Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s family well-being team, Tungasuvvingat Inuit announced Monday in a Facebook post.
Organizers are encouraging attendees to arrive between 3 and 3:30 p.m., wear red in solidarity, and bring photos or objects to honour loved ones.
After the ceremony, participants can continue on to nearby Red Dress Day programming at the Vanier HUB on Marier Avenue from 4 to 7 p.m.
(0) Comments