We’re a group of Oliver residents and community league members that think it’s time to talk about Frank Oliver.
Oliver Community League
Established in 1922 as the West End Community League, the now Oliver Community League strives to improve the quality of life of over 19,000 residents in Oliver, Edmonton by promoting participation in affordable local social activities, advocating on their behalf on planning and development issues including the preservation of local heritage resources, and supporting local agencies that provide necessary services to disadvantaged or isolated citizens.
The League is driven by a board of 15 skilled, passionate, and committed volunteers who are proud to live and work in the City of Edmonton’s largest and most economically, ethnically, and demographically diverse community.
If you’d like to learn more about the League or our neighbourhood, visit our website.
Our Position
On June 23rd, 2020 in response to community feedback, the Oliver Community League Board of Directors has approved a motion in opposition to the community’s current name of “Oliver”. The motion reads as follows:
The Oliver Community League Board of Directors opposes the name “Oliver” for our community because its namesake, Frank Oliver, spearheaded many harmful policies that directly targeted Indigenous communities, people of colour, newcomers, and people with disabilities. This namesake does not reflect the spirit of diversity and inclusion that our community represents.
As a result, the Oliver Community League, led by Indigenous communities, has initiated the #UncoverOliver campaign. The campaign will continue to run for several months, educating our community as to who its namesake was, his recorded actions, and why the name came to be - uncovering the history of our community.
Critical Conversations
“This conversation is critical,” says Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse, member of the Michel First Nation and great-granddaughter of John Callihoo, the first president of the Indian Association of Alberta. “As a community, we’re saying that Edmonton will no longer honour the destruction of Indigenous people. Instead, we’re looking ahead to the future and deciding to build it on peace and friendship - just like the Treaty always intended.”
Building Community
We wish to bring the community together under the excitement of uncovering who we are and lead a discussion on how we should name ourselves. We welcome all people into this grassroots conversation.
The Oliver community was named as such by community members in 1937, and the time has come for the community to name itself again.