Grandin mural covered in orange overnight at Edmonton LRT station

Grandin mural covered up Edmonton has taken the first steps of reconciliation efforts by covering up a mural of Bishop Vital Grandin by Sylvie Nadeau.

EDMONTON — Edmonton city council was swift in making good on a unanimous decision to remove references of Bishop Vital Grandin from the Government Centre LRT station.

It took mere hours for crews to begin panelling over one of the murals there in orange Monday night.

Orange is the colour chosen to represent reconciliation.

The LRT stop was named after the St. Albert Roman Catholic bishop who helped design Canada's residential school system.

Mayor Don Iveson put a motion forward on Monday to remove references to Grandin from the station, signage and audio announcements "as soon as possible" and to cover the original portion of the mural by Sylvie Nadeau at the "earliest opportunity."

The work to cover the Grandin murals continued throughout the day, and workers also covered the name on signage.

Iveson also proposed consulting the Grandin working circle – a group of concerned citizens, Indigenous people, and the Francophone community, who commissioned the original artwork, which formed out of concern about the remaining Grandin references at the location – about how to go forward, and having them work with the city's naming committee for a new title which contributes to reconciliation.

The City of St. Albert, northwest of Edmonton, says it is examining its naming process amid calls for changes there.

If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.

Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.