The first time I heard that an Ottawa team was called the “Redskins” I thought it was a mistake. Maybe I was naïve or ignorant, but considering Canada’s early history, I could not accept that such an insensitive name would be used.
It may have taken 32 years, but the decision to change the Nepean Redskins’ name isn’t any less significant.
A wise move by far, the change signifies Canadian sports teams are becoming tuned in with the times.
Officials from the Nepean Redskins Football Club made the decision after a heated debated erupted over the name.
The debate escalated when Ian Campeau, an Ojibwa man, made the bold move to file a human rights complaint against the club. The move may sound extreme, but it worked.
There is a double standard in sports for what is socially acceptable. Campeau claims that calling each other “redskins” on the field will perpetuate racism in society and in schoolyards. This is true.
You cannot teach children that “redskin” is an offensive slur when they cheer on or play for a team that wears that name.
According to Bruce Stapleton’s book, Redskins: Racial Slur or Symbol of Success, the word “redskin” originated in the late 1600s, referring to certain aboriginal tribes who painted their bodies with red pigments. The expression lost its original meaning over time and gained a negative connotation.
There should be no hesitation in changing a team name that is racially demeaning. If the football club wants to honour Canada's native history, then we should respect the wishes of First Nations who want a new name.
It’s no secret that team names and logos aren’t always politically correct. The NFL's Washington Redskins and MLB's Cleveland Indians are among the most famous examples.
And Canadian sports teams are no different. Lacrosse teams with names such as the Brooklin Redmen and the North Shore Indians remain insensitive to some Native Americans.
Yes, the Washington Redskins are still named the Redskins and the Cleveland Indians still use their insensitive logo.
But progress is being made, however locally.
After a public outcry, team officials from the Ottawa TomaHawks switched the name to the Ottawa SkyHawks. The swift name change came hours after its reveal.
If using the term tomahawk – a Native American axe – is
unacceptable, than why isn't the term redskin?
The Nepean Redskins may not have an unlimited budget, but the cost to rebrand is worth it. The transition may take several years.
However, the new name will remove the controversy and bring attention back on the game of football. Certainly rebranding is not easy, but it is better than endorsing racism.
A team in Canada’s capital should be an example for the rest of the nation. The approval for a name change does not show defeat or weakness.
Rather, it portrays a positive message that the Nepean Redskins are helping Canada move towards equality. And who knows, the club may even gain a few more fans as a result.