Former Grandin School in Edmonton renamed Holy Child Catholic Elementary School

The former Grandin School has been renamed Holy Child Catholic Elementary School, removing thededication to a man who wasinstrumental in setting up Canada's residential schools and replacingit with the memory of children who attended them.

Trustees with Edmonton Catholic Schoolsvoted unanimously in June to remove the name of Vital Grandin, the first Roman Catholic bishop of St. Albert and architect of the residential school system in Canada, from the105-year-old school at 98th Avenue and110th Street.

A committee that included the Edmonton Catholic School District(ECSD) Elders' Advisory Council and Indigenous Learning Services was tasked with finding the new name.

"The committee also used the following guiding principles: that the name honour the children whose lives were lost in residential schools, and that the name be one that would be meaningful and positive for the students of the school," board chair Sandra Palazzo said in a news release.

"Additionally, calling to mind the children who were tragically lost in residential schools, this name counsels us that we, as a society, must always remember and honour that every child is holy."

Several other locations bearing Grandin's name or image were also changed this past summer.

Just hours after Edmonton Catholic School trustees decided to change the name of Grandin School, the same decision was made by Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools about that school's62-year-old Vital GrandinCatholic Elementary School.

Edmonton city council removed the Grandin name from a downtownLRT station and covered a mural that paid tribute to him.

And in Calgary, Catholic trustees also voted unanimously in June in favour of changing the name of Bishop Grandin High School. It will be known temporarily asHaysboro Catholic High School until the district determines a permanent name.

Supportis available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by these reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to providesupportfor residential school survivorsand others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.