CBE changing Langevin school name back to Riverside

CALGARY – The Calgary Board of Education says it is changing the name of one of its schools in an effort to separate from people connected to residential schools.

The CBE says the board of trustees gathered for a special meeting Monday and passed motions to change the name of Langevin School to its former name.

“The Board of Trustees has heard concerns from students, staff and community members about the Langevin name. Trustees have been working on revising their naming and renaming policy for CBE schools to align with the Board’s values and commitment to promoting a welcoming, caring, safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment,” reads an email from the CBE.

It was previously named Riverside Junior High School before it was named Langevin in 1936, according to the board, and the school will again go by Riverside effective immediately.

The change comes after the bodies of 215 kids were found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops.

“The tragic discovery in Kamloops and the reaction shared by Canadians has emphasized the importance of reconciliation and the need to demonstrate our commitment to the students we serve.”

RELATED:

• Province to fund research into undocumented deaths, burial of children at former Alberta residential schools
• Hundreds more unmarked residential school graves, anticipate experts
• ‘We have to acknowledge the truth’: Trudeau horrified by mass grave in Kamloops, promises action

Mayor Naheed Nenshi had called on the CBE and the Catholic School District to change the names of Langevin and Bishop Grandin schools.

Sir Hector-Louis Langevin, one of the fathers of confederation, was involved in the development of Canada’s residential school system.

Bishop Grandin also lobbied the federal government to build the schools.

The CCSD said in a statement it will be consulting with stakeholders to determine whether or not to remove Grandin’s name from one of its schools.

“The Calgary Catholic School District takes all Indigenous matters seriously and are deeply saddened by the discovery in Kamloops. As Catholics, we are deeply sorry for the residential school movement of the past,” it said.

“We are committed to the education recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Calls to Action report. When it comes to the possible renaming of a CCSD school(s), the Board of Trustees will be considering feedback from stakeholders such as parents, staff, students, Catholic Bishops and Elders in our Indigenous community.”