The Oliver Community League in Edmonton has revealed their new Cree name for the community: wîhkwêntôwin.
Wîhkwêntôwin in English means a circle of friends. The OCL said in a news release on Monday that this name better reflects the community’s diveristy and spirit of inclusion.
The OCL says they are deeply grateful to Elder Jerry Saddleback for gifting them the Cree name, and to the members of the Renaming Circle and community for their important contributions.
In 2017, the conversation started to change the name of the Edmonton community. In 2020, the OCL board of directors approved a motion to rename the community.
Frank Oliver is a former minister of interior, and helped enact policies that targeted Indigenous land rights and restricted immigration.
Changing the name requires approval from city council, and is expected to be on the agenda for a committee meeting on Feb. 7.
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