EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — An East Providence roadway got a new name, honoring a person whose family has been tied to this area for centuries.
Leonard Avenue will now be recognized as Harry “Hawk” Edmonds Way.
Mayor Bob DaSilva read a proclamation at a ceremony on Saturday, recognizing the street’s new name and the family’s profound impact on the community.
ALSO READ: Tomaquag Museum has big plans for move to URI
Harry “Hawk” Edmonds is a member and Sachem of the Pokanoket Tribal Nation and serves on the mayor’s Council on Indigenous Affairs. He performs at Powwows held throughout Southern New England and is a member and honoree of the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness.
Leonard Avenue is now also known as Harry “Hawk” Edmonds Way. (WPRI-TV)
Edmonds is a direct descendant of a Massasoit War Chief and a long line of athletes too. He led East Providence High School to a state basketball championship and went on to play for the University of Rhode Island.
Carole Brown, the chairperson of the mayor’s council on Indigenous affairs, had the idea to rename a street in Edmonds’ honor. Her family has known his family for decades.
“I’m very happy that this is happening for him in his lifetime, that he can see it,” Brown said.
Brown hopes the proclamation helps make people aware that Indigenous people still live in East Providence.
“For about 12,000 years we’ve been in this city,” she added. “For us to be recognized is a great thing, and for his family to be recognized is even greater.”
Harry “Hawk” Edmonds also spoke at the ceremony in his honor. “The Edmonds family’s name will be a part of this city and this community for as long as I live,” he said with a smile, “and I hope I live a long time.”