The idea of renaming Minneapolis' most popular lake is bubbling up again after Yale University struck John C. Calhoun's name from one of its residential colleges.
Citing Yale's decision last month, some Minneapolis Park Board members are renewing a push to scrap the Lake Calhoun name in favor of Bde Maka Ska, the lake's Dakota name. Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States for whom the lake is named, was an influential and lifelong advocate of slavery. While the board previously settled on labeling the lake with both names rather than making an official change, the Park Board has a chance to revisit the idea before finalizing the Calhoun-Harriet master plan this spring.
"I know John C. Calhoun doesn't reflect the values of the city of Minneapolis," said Commissioner Brad Bourn, a proponent of changing the name. "We're at a point in history that it's critical that we recognize the contributions of First Nations people and recognize that they're welcomed members of the community and they always have been and this is really a small way we can do that."
But other Park Board members aren't convinced about the need for change, and wonder if it would be the start down a slippery slope.
"It doesn't really address problems of equity," Park Board President Anita Tabb said. "If we change this, what other names in our system need to be changed and where does that end?"
Amid growing national debate over Calhoun, a community advisory group has urged the Park Board to support restoring the Dakota name Bde Maka Ska. Park officials are expected to vote on the name change recommendation, among other items, as part of the Calhoun-Harriet master plan. The plan is open for public input through March 4 and slated to go before the board in April.
But a name change wouldn't be certain, even if the Park Board approves it. The Park Board would forward the request to the Hennepin County Board. Then the County Board would have to hold a public hearing, vote to approve the change, and make a proposal to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR would have to make an appeal to U.S. Board of Geographic Names for federal use and approval.
"I can see myself changing the name of a baseball field or a park," said Park Board Member Liz Wielinski. "It's not my place to change the name of something like a lake."