Calgary food-beer fest shortens name after Indigenous complaints on social media

CALGARY The name of a Calgary food and beer festival has been amputated to remove its offensive nature.

During the fourth annual event on Saturday at Currie Park in the southwest, organizers announced they’d shortened the name Circle the Wagons to simply Circle in a bid to address concerns the original moniker inflamed First Nations’ sensitivities.

One of those organizers, Village Breweries’ Jim Button, said it was the right thing to do to reflect a Calgary that’s evolved.

“The intention is to understand our city is much different from what it’s been,” he said, adding Calgary’s visible minority population has significantly expanded.

“We found it was an offensive name and had negative connotations and wasn’t inclusive.”

Since the celebration began in 2014, most people referred to it simply as “Circle” anyway, added Button.

Local Indigenous educator and artist Lee Deranger discovered the event’s old name and publicly objected, a protest that was quickly magnified on social media.

Those opposed to it suggested it flippantly recalled Canada’s colonial past, of European settlers claiming Aboriginal lands while fending off First Nations resistance.

The new name, said Button, is both simple and inclusive.

Said Mayor Naheed Nenshi at the festival “It’s a simple name, but I love it.”

Circle, which brings together Village Brewery, BassBus and YYCFoodTrucks was a huge success, attracting more than 6,000 people for music, games, costumes and camaraderie amid balmy temperatures, said Button.

“It really brought people outside of their houses and neighbourhoods,” he said.

The venue for the celebration is one that’s constantly changing, in an effort to embrace as much of the city as possible, said Button.

“I’m desperate to go over to the east side, we want to take it there,” he said.

“Where do we take it to the east of the city?”