Indigenous mascots and logos complaint settled

MISSISSAUGA — Indigenous-themed mascots, names, imagery and symbols used by non-aboriginal sports teams will be removed from arenas and other facilities in Mississauga under a mediated settlement before the province’s human rights tribunal, the complainant said on Thursday.

The agreement reached late last month ends a complaint from a resident businessman, who said he found the use of such names and imagery offensive.

“(The settlement) recognizes native mascots as a human rights issue,” Bradley Gallant, a business consultant and member of the Qalipu First Nation, said in an interview.

“It’s not tradition. It’s something that you can no longer say you’re doing it because it’s honouring us — because the intent of your use of a mascot doesn’t matter; it’s the effect or the harm that the mascot causes.”