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With the Langevin Bridge officially set to be renamed to Reconciliation Bridge following a January 23 Council vote, it's an appropriate time to look back at its photographic history, and the now-contentious historical figure it was named after. The iconic through truss bridge spans the Bow River between 4th Avenue South and Memorial Drive, connecting Downtown Calgary to a number of north-central communities, including Bridgeland and Crescent Heights. The original span, built in 1910, carried southbound traffic across the river, and a second span constructed in 1972 carries northbound traffic. While its programmable LED illumination system gives the bridge a stronger civic identity, the new name aims to shine a more symbolic light on one of the darkest moments in Canadian history.
Built in 1910, the bridge took its name from Father of Confederation and Conservative Cabinet Minister Hector-Louis Langevin, who served as the Secretary of State for the Provinces when the residential school system was introduced. During an 1883 session of Parliament, he argued that day schools alone would be insufficient in ensuring the assimilation of Aboriginal children: "The fact is that if you wish to educate the children you must separate them from their parents during the time they are being taught," he said candidly. "If you leave them in the family they may know how to read and write, but they will remain savages, whereas by separating them in the way proposed, they acquire the habits and tastes…of civilized people."
As Canada gradually comes to terms with the disgrace of the residential school system, where at least 6,000 children were estimated to have died, Canada and her cities are taking steps to heal old wounds. Calgary's Aboriginal Urban Affairs committee recommended the renaming, and in preparation for the vote, the City's notion of motion stated: "We live in a time of reconciliation, where we are establishing new relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians based on mutual recognition of the past, mutual respect and a sincere desire to forge a better future together through a process of truth and healing."
The City will now work with the First Nations and Calgary Heritage Authority to establish an on-site plaque that will communicate the history of the bridge and why the name was changed. Mayor Naheed Nenshi says a re-dedication ceremony will be held later this year, in honour of Canada's 150th birthday.
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