A UBC Okanagan sociology class is calling on the owner of the Kelowna Chiefs to change the teamsa国际传媒檚 name because itsa国际传媒檚 racially insensitive.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e trying to start a movement,sa国际传媒� said student Averia Debungie, who is part of a Sociology of Sport class at the university. She added that the Chilliwack Chiefs removed their mascot and discussions have arisen recently around McGillsa国际传媒檚 Redmen, so it is a timely discussion.
Westbank First Nation Chief Roxanne Lindley does not find the name offensive, she said in an emailed statement. A Facebook poll conducted by the WFN yesterday also found that 12 members who replied to the survey did not find the name racist.
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sa国际传媒淚t could also be how theysa国际传媒檙e not too sure on how (the Kelowna Chiefs are perceived) out here. If theysa国际传媒檙e in their area and maybe (they donsa国际传媒檛 know) what itsa国际传媒檚 like to be a First Nations student at UBC where you do see the racism from outsiders. I think itsa国际传媒檚 a different perspective,sa国际传媒� said Debungie. The WFNsa国际传媒檚 office council building is 16 km from UBC Okanagan.
The class sent an email to the Capital News yesterday afternoon stating:
sa国际传媒淭he team logo of an sa国际传媒榠ndiansa国际传媒� with two tomahawks springing from his head is offensive and insulting. The logo and club name have no place in our community sa国际传媒� a community aiming to respect everyone and taking reconciliatory steps with Indigenous peoples. Therefore, in the spirit of reconciliation and reinventing our relationship with Indigenous peoples across the land, and in the name of decency, respect, and doing the just thing, we call for the removal of both the name and logo. Removing the name and logo would mark a progressive path for the Kelowna hockey team and give it credence as a role model organization in sports teamssa国际传媒� rethinking, rebranding and renaming stereotypical, insulting, and often racial slur names. In moving forward, we hope this letter initiates a conversation/ meeting of those concerned to mitigate this matter and catalyze change within the Kelowna Hockey Junior Club.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淭heresa国际传媒檚 been movements happening throughout the Canada and U.S. trying to get the names and logos removed. Theysa国际传媒檙e not the ones who have lived that life, and they donsa国际传媒檛 know what itsa国际传媒檚 like,sa国际传媒� said Debungie.
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Grant Sheridan general manager and owner for the Kelowna Chiefs said he values the opinions of the local bands over the university.
sa国际传媒淭hey sent it to the press and didnsa国际传媒檛 contact us. In nine years, wesa国际传媒檝e had four inquiries, all were responded to and invited to meet and discuss and not one person would take us up on that,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e talked to the WFN in the pastsa国际传媒� but it hasnsa国际传媒檛 been an issue until this letter popped up.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淚 would certainly rather hear from a local, provincial or national band than the student body, so I would suggest that they gather some data and some feedback. Wesa国际传媒檙e open to talk about anything and everything,sa国际传媒� he said, adding he was disappointed he wasnsa国际传媒檛 contacted and the class instead chose to contact local media outlets.
Sheridan said he would sa国际传媒渁lwayssa国际传媒� be open to changing the teamsa国际传媒檚 name, but it has to be with a purpose and intent.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 not something that one person can just say hey, we donsa国际传媒檛 like the colour of your vehicle you should change it. There are lots of moving parts there,sa国际传媒� he said.
He said there are players, billots and staff that are Aboriginal.
An earlier version of the article said Averia Debungie was a professor, she is a student at UBCO.
carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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