As many in Winnipeg have seen, there has been a petition going around asking for the renaming of the Wolseley neighbourhood which has garnered much attention. When I was originally approached about the petition as an individual, I too thought it was a good idea.

And, in fact, I read over the petition before it went out. Thinking back though, I think I didn't think it through as much as I should have. Partly I didn't think much of it because I had little faith it would actually garner attention.

Oh how wrong I was. I forgot just how seductive ideas of justice are, especially in a Canada that is exceedingly invested in 'truth and reconciliation.' I now realize how much I overlooked the central most important thing I've learned with regards to community-engaged research

See, from the beginning the petition should have been done in conversation and in partnership with MMF. Therefore, I can completely understand why and support their refusal of this gesture for justice.

This has spurred many thoughts: 1st, We will continue to see calls for justice FOR Indigenous peoples but not necessarily instigated for by that collective. In which case, why would I or anyone be surprised by that refusal?

MMF's refusal to support the petition actually becomes a really important teaching and learning moment of doing 'research with' to quote @KimTallBear . Of course, this goes beyond research. This goes to the heart of Indigenous, and in particular Metis sovereignty

And to be honest, the more I think about the refusal of the renaming, the more I see it as an act of self-determination, especially when it comes to how we narrate Indigenous histories. What role does the collective play in this?

For example, I as an individual may be down with a renaming, but the collective may not be. In this case, I think the collective is more important.

Another question that came to me is: what does this renaming even do? It certainly isn't like residents of Wolseley are going to give up the (stolen) land that they've acquired over the years. So then why should they not be marked and associated with the Reign of Terror?

Finally, while many are often quick to get on board with Indigenous issues, especially when they confirm their own positions, they often are quick to turn when Indigenous collectives refuse to have justice asserted for on their behalf.