A recent discovery in Kamloops, British Columbia has put emphasis on the horrific existence of residential schools throughout Canada. The remains of 215 children, whose deaths were undocumented, were found at the ‘Kamloops Indian Residential School’. The further exposure of the tragic occurrences that took place within the walls of these schools has shed light on a terrible stain in the history of our country. The damage done has had a lasting effect on the families of the victims, and cannot just go away. But the best thing we can do for a wound is help it heal.
Hector-Louis Langevin is considered by many to be one of the fathers of Confederation. However, he was also one of the chief architects of Canada’s residential school system. Since 1936, a school in Calgary has been named after Langevin, but a recent movement backed by the students of that school calls for the name to be changed. In the words of those students, ‘while Langevin himself was long dead, the pain of the residential school system is still affecting the lives of many Indigenous people in Canada.’ Mayor Naheed Nenshi also called on school boards to change school names in order to facilitate healing in the First Nations community.
On June 1st, 2021, the Calgary Board of Education changed the name of Langevin School to Riverside School. This change is effective immediately, and is actually using the name that the school used prior to 1936. This does not erase history in any way – but it is important to acknowledge the fault in the actions of these people, and to avoid further damage to First Nation communities. Especially in a learning center such as Riverside School, a change like this can educate many people about our country’s history, including the aspects that are less spoken about.
This change is not the first of its kind. About 4 years ago, ‘Langevin Bridge’ was renamed ‘Reconciliation Bridge.’ The ‘Edmonton Eskimos’, a team in the CFL, were renamed to the ‘Edmonton Elks’. These changes pay respect to First Nations, who are a very important part of our history. They also show that we are learning from our mistakes, and that we can make a difference.
The renaming of Langevin School was started and encouraged by youth in our city. Seeing that an important step forward was taken by students as young as those in grade 5 is something that I think can provide hope for our society. It can inspire others to use their voice to make a change, or even bring a little light into the lives of people who have suffered from residential schools. As youth, we are the future of our world – and we have the power to ensure that it becomes a better place.