Winnipeg proposes new Indigenous street names, but what’s behind claims they’re too hard to pronounce? – The Conversation

The City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Division recently submitted suggestions for new names to replace a street and trail currently named after Bishop Vital-Justin Grandin.

The division has suggested that Bishop Grandin Boulevard be renamed Abinojii Mikanah, the Bishop Grandin Trail be renamed Awasisak Mēskanow and Grandin Street be renamed Taapweewin Way. The first two suggestions are Ojibwe and Cree phrases meaning “Children’s Road,” and are meant to represent residential school survivors and the efforts to find the children who never returned home. Taapweewin is the Michif word for truth.

Grandin was a Catholic priest and leading proponent of residential schools who lobbied the federal government to fund their construction.

Reaction to these new names has been mixed, as can be expected with any change. However, the primary pushback seems to be that the new names are hard to pronounce.

Read More: https://theconversation.com/winnipeg-proposes-new-indigenous-street-names-but-whats-behind-claims-theyre-too-hard-to-pronounce-201523