School ponders renaming

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This article was published 14/05/2025 (211 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A deep dive into a city high school’s history reveals it was named after a Catholic archbishop who endorsed residential schools. Now, staff members want a rewrite.

Citing findings from extensive archival research and a commitment to reconciliation, teachers from Collège Béliveau are making the case for renaming their Grade 7-12 campus in Windsor Park.

“It’s important for our students to see us stand up and call for change,” said Mélanie Dubois, who is among the group that found proof the building is named after Archbishop Arthur Béliveau (1870-1955).

It is a common misconception the title is a tribute to Jean Béliveau (1931-2014), the Montreal Canadiens legend who is far more known among 21st century students, staff and their families.

Staff members discovered 296 Speers Rd.’s true namesake was instrumental in founding and running Cross Lake Residential School in northern Manitoba.

The late clergy leader was tapped to oversee the Archdiocese of St. Boniface in 1915. In that role, he worked closely with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, one group tasked with running day-to-day operations in Cross Lake, also known as Pimicikamak.

At least 84 children died at the site between 1912 and 1967, records revealed in 2021.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias revealed last summer that 187 anomalies had been discovered after a ground-penetrating radar scan in the community.

Dubois said her school community cannot ignore Béliveau’s participation in “a legacy of (intergenerational) pain and trauma.”

A group of seven teachers joined forces to search his name via the Saint-Boniface Historical Society and in university archives, among other databases.

They found clippings of columns he wrote for La Liberté and photo evidence of him in Cross Lake. Their research also determined he oversaw St. Mary’s Indian Residential School in Kenora.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s memorial pages show there was overlap between when Béliveau was in charge and known deaths in both Kenora and Cross Lake.

Vice-principal Jennifer Oldfield said she pledges to forward reconciliation inside the high school on a regular basis during morning announcements.

“In that land acknowledgement, we commit to concrete action as a staff and this is a chance for us to walk that talk,” Oldfield said.

Principal Andrea Kolody joined the teacher-researchers to call for change at the Louis Riel School Division’s latest public board meeting.

Delegates gave a formal presentation, Honouring Truth and Reconciliation: A Proposal to Rename Collège Béliveau, on May 6.

The meeting heard the school community began reflecting on the subject in 2015. At the time, students enrolled in a First Nations, Métis and Inuit studies course were putting together a project on the origins of monuments and place names.

The process of renaming Winnipeg’s Bishop Grandin Boulevard to Abinojii Mikanah (the children’s road in Cree) was a catalyst for doing the deep dive.

Kolody said it is important for the school and its title to reflect the values of her staff and the division at large.

“When kids come into this building, we want them to feel safe and welcomed and cared for and families, also, to feel that,” said the principal who oversees the French immersion high school.

Supporters of a new name indicated they want to find a way to ensure Béliveau’s legacy is not forgotten and renaming is used as an educational opportunity.

School board chairman Chris Sigurdson confirmed a wider consultation is in the works.

“We’re looking forward to hearing from everyone,” the longtime trustee said Wednesday.

Sigurdson said change, which must ultimately be approved by the board, would happen prior to the Béliveau-Windsor Park Collegiate building swap planned for September 2026.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca