Unity Island

42°55′30″N 78°54′13″W / 42.92500°N 78.90361°W / 42.92500; -78.90361 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]