Reconciliation Bridge *
Calgary, CANADÀ 2024
The Reconciliation Bridge is a historic bridge spanning the Bow River in Calgary. Its significance lies in its recent renaming and the symbolism it carries.
Location and Type: It is a steel and concrete truss bridge (built in 1910) that connects Downtown Calgary with north-central communities like Bridgeland and Crescent Heights, crossing the Bow River.
Name Change: It was originally named the Langevin Bridge after Sir Hector-Louis Langevin, one of the Fathers of Canadian Confederation. However, due to Langevin's role as one of the architects of the Canadian Residential School system (a system of forced assimilation of Indigenous children), Calgary City Council voted to change the name in 2017.
Significance: The new name, Reconciliation Bridge, was chosen as a symbolic act, part of the City of Calgary's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Features: It is well-known for its nightly illumination, which uses 5,600 programmable LED lights to display special colours and patterns. These light shows are often run in consultation with the City's Indigenous Relations Office to pay tribute to significant Indigenous dates and stories.
Reconciliation Bridge *
Calgary, CANADÀ 2024
The Reconciliation Bridge is a historic bridge spanning the Bow River in Calgary. Its significance lies in its recent renaming and the symbolism it carries.
Location and Type: It is a steel and concrete truss bridge (built in 1910) that connects Downtown Calgary with north-central communities like Bridgeland and Crescent Heights, crossing the Bow River.
Name Change: It was originally named the Langevin Bridge after Sir Hector-Louis Langevin, one of the Fathers of Canadian Confederation. However, due to Langevin's role as one of the architects of the Canadian Residential School system (a system of forced assimilation of Indigenous children), Calgary City Council voted to change the name in 2017.
Significance: The new name, Reconciliation Bridge, was chosen as a symbolic act, part of the City of Calgary's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Features: It is well-known for its nightly illumination, which uses 5,600 programmable LED lights to display special colours and patterns. These light shows are often run in consultation with the City's Indigenous Relations Office to pay tribute to significant Indigenous dates and stories.