Get rid of indigenous mascots: TRC head
SPORTS TEAMS: Judge says a nickname like the Redskins has a profound impact on aboriginal youth
WINNIPEG — The head of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission says it’s time to cast aside offensive indigenous mascots which would never be tolerated if they targeted any other cultural group.
Justice Murray Sinclair, who spearheaded an examination of Canada’s residential schools, says sports teams with offensive names such as Redskins and cartoonish aboriginal-looking mascots have no place in a country trying to come to grips with racism in its past.
“It’s only indigenous peoples’ symbols that are being utilized by sports teams. I don’t think there is any cultural group that is subject to that anymore,” Sinclair said in an interview. “People need to re-examine their behaviour — all aspects of their behaviour — the way they are doing business.”
Some Canadian high school teams are taking steps to phase out their mascots while others say there is no need.
A Morden, Man., hockey team named the Redskins was criticized recently by a local city councillor, who wanted city council to call for a name change.
Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe, one of two who voted in favour of the motion, said he couldn’t talk about it because council ultimately decided not to get involved.
“This is not a sword I’m going to fall on,” he said.
The team’s general manager, Brent Meleck, who is aboriginal, said the name has “been around for a long time. We’re not doing anything wrong.”
Sinclair said a name like that has a profound impact on young indigenous people.
“I can’t imagine how comfortable they would feel knowing the major team in their town is called that,” said Sinclair, who pointed to the Washington, D.C., National Football League team with the same name. “They’ve been told by a number of legal entities to stop doing it, but they’re still fighting for it.”
Several Canadian junior and high school teams opted to change their names last year following public concern.
The Nepean Redskins youth football team in Ottawa changed its name to the Nepean Eagles after a human rights complaint.
The Western Canada High School in Calgary dropped its Redmen name and logo. Two Saskatchewan school teams also called Redmen changed their names as well.