Calgary students protest Sir John A. Macdonald school name

A group campaigning to change the name of Sir John A. Macdonald Junior High School protested outside the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) Tuesday morning.

The Reconciliation Action Group started the protest on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Between 25 and 30 people showed up to the demonstration in front of the CBE. Calgary police were in attendance, and one counter-protestor was present.

The group is calling on the CBE to “Cut the Red Tape and Take Action” on renaming Sir John A. Macdonald Junior High.

Makena Halvorsen, who also attends the school in Grade 9, has been campaigning to have the name changed for the past two years.

This came about after her school had a lesson about the country’s first prime minister and also while researching him for an essay.

“I wanted the name change because it was hurtful and offensive to people who have to go to our school and be reminded of his intergenerational harm that he caused to everybody,” she said.

She had a petition last year to see the name changed, but with nothing done, she says the CBE “doesn’t care.”

“If it was really their top priority, it would have already been done and changed. But still today, lots of people from my school are still suffering,” Halvorsen said.

---

Related Video

---

In 2017 the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario called for the renaming of all schools in Canada named after Macdonald, but the name remained.

John A. Macdonald played a foundational role in creating and running residential schools, and he was celebrated for building the Canadian Pacific Railway.

When asked about what it feels like to walk through the halls of the junior high, she says it “defines us.”

“I find if it was different, then people wouldn’t really have to be reminded of him and the intergenerational harm that he’s caused,” Halvorsen said.

‘Mired in red tape’

The group says the CBE has been “mired in red tape” in implementing the Renaming Policy, which was brought on by the previous board.

A committee for renaming the school was made final in June 2022, eight months after the current board was elected. Since then, the group claims the committee has not had their first meeting.

This is also in addition to wanting changes to a mascot at Sir John Diefenbaker High School named “Chief,” which they say is a racist depiction of an Indigenous headdress.

Diefenbaker’s nickname was “Dief the Chief” in the 1960s during his time as prime minister.

---

Related Stories:

• Calgary students reignite calls to rename Sir John A. Macdonald School

• Airdrie high school, named after Alberta residential school founder, receives calls for renaming

---

Fernanda Ortiz, a Grade 10 student at the school, says it is “deeply disappointing” that the current mascot is being used.

“Continued use of this mascot harms Indigenous students,” she said in a statement. “Our school should be a safe and caring environment where everyone feels welcome. Changing this mascot would be an important and genuine step towards anti-racism.”

The group says the CBE has been contacted regarding action done on the mascot.

Linda Johnson, a residential school survivor, says the CBE has a responsibility to change the name to move forward.

“CBE, as an educational institution, must, must show that they are willing to do this,” she told CityNews. “We need to change the name.”

Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province respects any decision the CBE makes on re-naming the school, but she also thinks there needs to be a broader conversation.

“We should have these long conversations, and we should be able to address the issues of the past,” she told reporters Tuesday.

“We’ve got prime ministers that have been named on buildings and on airports all over this country, and I guess that’s the question that we have to ask ourselves is, are we going to be cancelling all of them?”

In a statement to CityNews, CBE Board Chair Laura Hack says there’s no place for bigotry in schools and is stepping up its efforts to support an inclusive environment.

“There is no room for racism or discrimination in any of our schools or workplaces, and the CBE has taken significant steps in the past few years to address systemic racism and promote equitable and inclusive learning and working environments. We recognize more needs to be done and we are listening and learning so we can continue to do better,” her statement reads.

In addition, Hack spoke prior to the start of the board meeting Tuesday, saying the CBE is “committed to acknowledging and supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 Calls to Action.”

“The board of trustees also continues its journey to consider the renaming of schools. We recognize that this work takes time, and we are committed to conducting this work in a thoughtful manner as we consider the diverse perspectives of students, staff, families and community members.”

-With files from Logan Stein, Nick Blakeney, Mark Strashok, and Deejay Todd