As Minneapolis moves forward with updating park names to be more reflective and respectful of indigenous history, the old signs of what was once Sibley Park are coming down. Scheduled for removal on Wednesday, May 7 at 10 am, the metal lettering from the recreation center building, as well as the park sign and other related signage, will bid adieu to their former locations. According to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB), these indicators of the past will be stored temporarily at an MPRB operations building.
In the meantime, the park, located at 1900 E. 40th Street in Minneapolis, will go by the placeholder name of 40th Street Park. The MPRB, responding to suggestions from indigenous advisors, has pledged to collaborate with local Indigenous community members and tribal governments to develop a process for choosing potential indigenous names for parks. Unfortunately, a planned community event set for May in partnership with the Nawayee Center School has been postponed, leading to the MPRB holding on to the signs a little longer than expected, until a new event date is pinned down.
The ambition is to cement a new name through an Indigenous-centered process managed by the MPRB Native American Parks Council, aligning with the MPRB's upcoming revised Naming Policy. No new park signs will be installed until a permanent name has been selected, a process that aims to honor the rich history and cultural significance of the land and its indigenous people.
Community engagement and respect for the cultural narratives of place are at the heart of this renaming effort. MPRB officials have yet to announce when the updated naming process will be finalized or when the Indigenous-centered discussions will commence, leaving a clear marker of progress in the community's continuing journey toward inclusivity and recognition of its diverse roots.
