Group is suing to retain the name of Lake Calhoun

[question everything]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A group seeking to ensure that the name for Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis stays as-is claim that the lake wasn’t even named after the slavery supporter John C. Calhoun.

The group Save Lake Calhoun, instead, argued that articles from the archives of the Minneapolis Tribune — which was the name for the paper before a merger with the Minneapolis Star — indicate that the lake was named after a “Lieutenant Calhoun” with the U.S. Army.

The push to change the lake’s name to its Dakota name, Bde Maka Ska, has been working its way through civic bodies. Most recently, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of changing the lake’s name.

It’s a long process to change the popular Minneapolis lake’s official name, though. The next step for the name change will be a decision from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. After that, the decision will go to federal authorities.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/12/14/group-lake-calhoun-name-dispute/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Man, people are angry.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. There are people who regard the name change as nothing more than

trendy "political correctness," but it's probably just thinly disguised racism - How dare those Indians demand to change the name of a lake that "always" has had a nice Anglo name? And the notion that the lake was named after some obscure army lieutenant is just ludicrous. The lake was, in fact, named after John C. Calhoun. When he was the Secretary of War he authorized the construction of Fort Snelling, one of the earliest white settlements in the state, and had the whole area surveyed. The surveyors renamed the lake after him. Naming the lake after him wasn't related to his avid defense of slavery, which came later; nevertheless, that's mostly what he's now known for, and why so many people have advocated for changing the name of the lake back to its original Dakota name.

[Randomthought]

4. Thanks!

You explained the issue very well.

[geardaddy]

8. Yes, see the OPs remarks.

[uppityperson]

3. Minnesota is a Dakotah word. Fwiw.

[geardaddy]

5. It should be Bde Maka Ska

The Dakota were here first.

[question everything]

6. What about Lake Harriet, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles?

what were their Dakota names? And, of course, what about our earlier presidents who were slave owners?

The name Calhoun is part of the rich history of Minneapolis, of the early planning, city of lakes with many parks and trails. Why throw it away?

I am glad that I do not live in Minneapolis. This is really P.C. runs amok.

[geardaddy]

7. So, you don't live in Minneapolis, you don't get a say.

I do. And I disagree that it is P.C. run amok.

If you want to weigh in on names of things where you are, you are welcome to.