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What is #UncoverOliver?

An Indigenous-led collaborative effort between Oliver residents and the Oliver Community League, the #UncoverOliver campaign is designed to bring the community together under the excitement of uncovering who we are. We wish to lead a discussion on how we should name ourselves now and into the future. 

Learn More
 

“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.”

— Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse

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Get Involved

The Oliver community was named as such by community members in 1937, and the time has come for the community to name itself again.

Learn How

FAQ

What is the history of Frank Oliver, the person, and Oliver, this neighbourhood?

a) History of Oliver neighbourhood

What is now known as the neighbourhood of Oliver has a long history as a gathering place for Indigenous Communities. For centuries Nehiyaw (Cree) Plains peoples lived, hunted, bartered, built relationships, and stewarded the land. While the Papaschase Nation largely inhabited this land, many other nations would visit for connecting, trade, and building kinship. Similarly, the Métis would be in this area during their buffalo hunts as well to connect and engage with the Cree Plains peoples. Kinship with one another, the land, and animals was as important for Indigenous peoples as it is today.

In 1937 the area was officially named for Oliver School, built in 1911. The school was named after Frank Oliver.

More recently, the Oliver community has a rich history of Indigenous governance and community building. Over the years, it has housed several Indigenous organizations and political advocacy groups such as the Métis Association and the Native Friendship Centre.

Today Oliver is a vibrant community full of residential areas, shops, businesses, and schools. The people who make up this neighbourhood come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life.

b) Who was Frank Oliver?

Frank Oliver (1853-1933) was a politician and co-founder of the Edmonton Bulletin, a local newspaper. Oliver arrived in Edmonton in 1876 and went on to organize much of the early legislation in what was then referred to as the North West Territories. Oliver was the first Alberta member of parliament in 1905. He sat in the House of Commons from 1896 to 1917 and was Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs from 1905 to 1911.

In his role as Minister of the Interior, Oliver was heavily involved in the Immigration Act of 1906 which restricted immigration based on ethnic origin. He put forward legislation barring black people who were fleeing persecution in America from moving to Canada, however, this legislation was not passed. As an Indian Agent, Oliver regularly enforced colonial laws barring Indigenous peoples from leaving their reserve without his signed permission. Oliver was also involved in a number of dubious property land acquisition processes which either forcibly removed people from their lands as seen with the Papaschase First Nation or swindled Nations into selling their land which was then sold to his political allies for extremely low cost, as seen with the Michel First Nation.

How did this project come about? What does the process look like?

The proposal for this name change began formally in the summer of 2020 when the Oliver Community League Board voted to oppose the name. After the vote, the community league began working with the City of Edmonton to develop a process to decide on a new name for the neighbourhood, and launched the UnCover Oliver Campaign.

In the fall of 2021, the Oliver Community League began working with a team of consultants, Heartstage Consulting, to develop a public engagement process and to support the community league, the community members, and various stakeholders in deciding on the new name.

At the heart of this process is a Renaming Circle. The Circle began meeting in June 2022, and includes Oliver community members and community leaders from Indigenous and other groups that were directly impacted by Frank Oliver. Over the next few months, with input from broader public engagement, and guided by the Renaming Circle, the goal is to come up with a name that can best represent the community. This will then be brought to the City of Edmonton’s Naming Committee and then City Council for final approval.

Why is the OCL working towards changing the name of this neighbourhood?

Frank Oliver played a tremendous role in the political governance of the area at the turn of the 20th century. Many of his political motivations were rooted in racism and anti-Indigeneity. The impacts of his political role in Canada were far-reaching and harmed a number of peoples including the Indigenous communities (specifically the Papaschase peoples) as well as Black and Chinese immigrants, among other communities.

In order to better reflect the story, the diversity, the hopes and aspirations of this neighbourhood, the Oliver Community League feels it is in the best interest of the neighbourhood to move forward with a name that better reflects the values of this neighbourhood.

While this community has been named Oliver for nearly 100 years, this area has been lived in and supported by Indigenous and other diverse communities for thousands of years. It is important to honour the long-standing history of this place while also looking forward to a future where all people feel safe and seen.

The name change will not change history, but it will better reflect what the Oliver Community League and its members want the community to be.

Why is Oliver Square now called Unity Square?

This name change process and choice of name were made exclusively by the property owners of the site, BentallGreenOak. The Oliver Community League was in contact with the owners but was not involved in the name change.

How will the name change impact me/the neighbourhood?

The OCL is in search of a new name for the neighbourhood and community league. While some groups and businesses have expressed interest in adopting a new name, such as the formally known Oliver School, businesses, community centres, and other groups are able to change their names or signage as they see fit.

Once the new name is chosen, the Oliver Community League will advance it through the City’s formal name change process.

How can I get involved?

Over the next few months, there will be a number of opportunities for community members to connect and get involved in the process by sharing ideas for a new name. This will include public engagement events hosted by Oliver Community League and an online idea submission form. Keep an eye out for updates in the Oliver Community League newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @OCLyeg.

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