'The name brings disgrace to the neighbourhood': review underway to rename a Winnipeg park
A St. Boniface park could be getting a name change as its current one has been deemed offensive to Indigenous people in an application to the Welcoming Winnipeg Committee.
Papoose Park, located at 100 Comanche Road in the Niakwa Park neighbourhood, is at the centre of the conversation, with the name “Papoose” considered an Indigenous slur by the applicant.
“The name brings disgrace to the neighbourhood and the City,” reads the answer to an application question on the potential negative impact on the community.
“The word papoose is now considered offensive. At the time of the park's naming, it was unsure but as time evolves, we must keep up with updates. This name is no longer suitable.”
The application quotes the Miriam Webster Dictionary’s definition of “papoose.”
The word dates back to 1634, and is defined as the young child of American Indian parents.
It has also been used to describe a baby carrier that usually consists of a cloth pouch, wrap, or sling for wearing around the torso. While the second definition isn’t always considered offensive, it can be due to its association with the original definition.
The Welcoming Winnipeg initiative is part of the city’s ongoing reconciliation efforts. Its goal is to ensure that all contributions, experiences, and perspectives are reflected truthfully.
Part of the initiative includes the Reconciling Our History Policy, which guides possible changes to place names and historical marker decisions to better reflect Indigenous perspectives.
Most recently, the city embarked on changing the name Bishop Grandin Boulevard, whose namesake is considered by many to be an architect of Canada’s residential school system.
“Our Welcoming Winnipeg initiative is going to continue to look at names in our community. They do matter,” said Mayor Brian Bowman on Thursday.
No new name alternatives were submitted with the proposal to rename Papoose Park, but it did recommend a ceremony with Indigenous elders and residents to come up with a name collaboratively.
The renaming proposal is currently before a Welcoming Winnipeg committee who will assess it and then submit a report to city council for approval.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.