Minneapolis Park Board says Sibley Park is 40th Street Park, at least for now

The Minneapolis Park Board has taken a significant step by unanimously voting to remove the name "Sibley Park," a name associated with Minnesota's first governor and his controversial role in the U. S. -Dakota War of 1862. The park will temporarily be called "40th Street Park" while an Indigenous-centered process is developed for selecting a new name. This decision has been influenced by a longstanding push from community members, including students from Sanford Middle School, who have advocated for a name change to better reflect the values and history of Indigenous people.

A name previously proposed, "Chanté T’ínza Wínyan," received substantial support in public surveys but was met with reservations from Indigenous advisors regarding the selection process. These advisors emphasized the importance of a thorough vetting and ceremony to honor the name's significance. Adam Arvidson, a project manager, highlighted that many community members felt uncomfortable in the park due to its former name, making the renaming essential. The Park Board is now working to update its naming policy to ensure community engagement and respect for Indigenous traditions in future naming decisions. A community event is tentatively scheduled for May to commemorate the removal of the previous name and foster dialogue about the park's future identity.