Winnipeg school could be renamed due to namesake’s past
A request has been submitted to rename a Winnipeg school due to its namesake’s historical past.
The parent council at Wolseley School has submitted a request to the Winnipeg School Division to rename the school.
The school, along with the surrounding neighbourhood, is named after Col. Garnet Wolseley, whose role in the 1870 Red River Rebellion has been criticized in recent years by Indigenous groups.
According to a biography on the school’s website, Garnet Wolseley was the commander of the force sent to quell the Red River Rebellion led by Louis Riel.
In 2021, the Red River Echoes collective called for the Wolseley neighbourhood to be renamed, saying Wolseley was a general who “incited genocide against Métis peoples on this land.”
“These are our community schools and they represent our communities now,” said Tamara Kuly, chair of the Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees. “If they’re named in a way that is harmful or hurts our community members, there should be space to have that name changed so that the current community can be reflected well.”
Trustees passed a policy for the renaming of schools and special purpose areas on Monday. It allows the community to request a review if the school’s name does not adhere to the division’s values of inclusiveness, diversity, reconciliation and respect for the rights and human dignity of others.
Kuly said the request will move towards public consultation with the community on the possibility of renaming the school.
The decision to fully rename the school comes with a cost.
"The best-case scenario, which is the cheapest one, would be like $43,000,” said Hollis Zhang, secretary-treasurer with the WSD Board. “The worst-case scenario would be $181,000.”
Kuly said the average cost is roughly $100,000, with the cost varying depending on the size of the school. The money is used for signage, gym floors and sports jerseys.
Kuly said the board is moving to community consultation on the possibility of changing the school’s name.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations made against him,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
Missing 4-month-old baby pronounced dead after 'suspicious incident' in midtown Toronto: police
A four-month-old baby is dead after what Toronto police are calling a 'suspicious incident' at a Midtown apartment building on Wednesday afternoon.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
EV battery manufacturer Northvolt faces major roadblocks
Swedish electric vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt is fighting for its survival as Canadian taxpayer money and pension fund investments hang in the balance.
Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
U.S. woman denied parole 30 years after drowning 2 sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake
A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison 30 years after she killed her sons by rolling her car into a South Carolina lake while they were strapped in their car seats.