Thou shalt share views on Ten Commandments monument

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This article was published 03/02/2023 (947 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg wants residents’ views on whether a monument that displays the Ten Commandments should return to its former home at a prominent park.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has asked Welcoming Winnipeg: Reconciling Our History officials to help determine if the monument should be moved back into the park. It was placed in storage in 2017 due to the construction of The Leaf Diversity Gardens.

An application from the conservancy said the monument was donated to the city in 1965, but the group has questioned whether it should remain in the park since it reflects specific religions.

“(The conservancy) has considered this matter very carefully, in light of recent debate about historical monuments, and believe that reinstalling the monument may make the park feel less welcoming for some members of our community,” the application states.

The city has posted an online survey where residents can share their views on whether the monument should return to the park.

The Welcoming Winnipeg process was created to help the city handle requests to name and rename places and historical markers, with the key goal of addressing names that negatively affect the Indigenous community.

Renaming requests involve public consultation and are assessed by a committee of community members, who make recommendations to city council. Council then makes the final decision.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca