Let's get our facts straight about all the controversy on Western Canada High School changing the Redmen name and logo.
1) Western Canada was established in 1903.
2) The "Redmen" name was adopted in 1923 (because the uniforms were RED).
3) The aboriginal logo was added in the 1960s, and only then was the meaning of the name associated with aboriginals.
Two separate issues - name vs. logo. Let's not lose sight of the origin of the name.
McGill University are also the Redmen (originally dubbed the Red Men) and again, because their jerseys were red. That's it. Are they being asked to change their name? They were, and possibly still are, but again, this is because someone is thinking "Hey, if it says "red", it must be offensive to me even though I'm ignorant of the origins of the name." Of the 48 McGill varsity teams, only football and hockey had adopted an aboriginal logo for a brief period of time, before ultimately dropping the logo because they had nothing to do with the origins of the team name.
So what gives? Fine, if the logo is offensive to aboriginal groups, scrap the logo, but keep the Redmen name. Its origins are deeply routed in history - suddenly ignorant politically-correct jackasses want to change the world?
Louise - 10 years ago
People, people, people. Being politically correct is great ... until it is taken to the extreme. In saying that, I mean, if this is so sensitive to you, perhaps there should be the suggestion that the Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Braves, Spokane Chiefs, Cleveland Indians or Washington Redskins (to name a few) to change their names as well. Then in thinking that, what about the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Vikings, Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Oakland Raiders? I don't believe Western Canada High School is disrespecting the First Nations any more than when any of us show up at a Chicago Blackhawks game. We are not dishonouring our First Nations, but celebrating them.
WCHS Student - 10 years ago
The vast majority of WCHS students are outraged at this decision to change the name. It is a source of pride for us and we are honoring the native culture by using their symbol to represent us. In the board's meeting with First Nations elders, the elders had said themselves that they felt very proud to see that we were being represented by a native man. We do not use "Redmen" as a derogatory term. In fact, the use of their name to represent our schools brings students more awareness and respect for First Nations. And if "Redmen" is considered offensive, why is it still socially acceptable to call Caucasian people "white"?
Lee Crowchild - 10 years ago
The uneasiness that some people feel about having to change the name is understandable to many who choose to keep People of the land in a comfortable compartment where they can easily access them when it is convenient. One person made the comment about how the Stampede gives us the chance to show off our pageantry. Very limited vision for sure. The days of keeping us as cultural icons from the past are long over.
We were kept out of the industrial revolution, we were kept out of the political scenery until the 1960's We have even been kept out of the oil boom. We are at a time when we will not be kept out anymore.
The younger generation is starting to understand that since the country has become much more culturally divergent with the immigration of other people, they too must change.
Reducing the name change to economics is simply too easy and convenient for the Western world to do. A very poor argument.
The city of Calgary did my family an honour many years ago when they asked to name Crowchild Bridge and Crowchild trail after us. The Mayor at that time was Jack Lesley and he and his council were forward thinkers and saw the importance of building bridges between the people. They have even honoured my Grandfather by presenting an annual award to the person who best works at bridging the gap. If you look at the names inscribed at city hall you will find people with dignity and respect. They would agree with the issue of name change.
Change is coming whether or not mainstream likes it or not. it would be a much better effort if small steps like a name change was the beginning of a revolution to make this city and province better and inclusive to all people.
Time to stop burying your heads in the sand.
respectfully
Lee Crowchild
Erica - 10 years ago
If you can't understand why the name is offensive, I don't know that you are at liberty to comment on whether or not it should be changed. As a Western Canada alumni, I thought the name was offensive while I attended the school, and I still do. It is cultural misappropriation, i.e. where one culture (most often one that has a historical record of oppressing other cultures) engages in the unauthorised taking of some aspects of another (most often a minority) culture. Considering Canada's history with Aboriginals I think it is inappropriate to have a team named the Redmen. We completely decimated their culture with residential schools, and now we take their culture and claim it as our own? Its not ours for the taking. I think the history of Canada's Aboriginals and being respectful of their culture is way more important than the history of a school team.
Brigitte - 10 years ago
I keep questioning why the name and image seem to be offensive and I just can't get there.
Is it not correct that Native Canadians refer to themselves as reds/Native Canadians? They are not white/Caucasian, Oriental Asian, blacks/African Americans, etc.? I seem to remember history telling us that Native Canadians wore head pieces as is depicted in the image at the school, their uniforms etc. The Native community proudly partakes in festivals, THE STAMPEDE, etc. show casing their beautiful headwear, outfits etc. Why is this now offensive? Why not celebrate this?
There is also the economics side of making these changes. In times when school boards are continuously challenged to find cost cutting measures, would this money not better serve and benefit the entire community?
There is tolerance and then there is simple stupidity.
HawkwoodGal - 10 years ago
Has anyone actually consulted with First Nations people on this? Are they offended by the name? If so, then this is a subject for debate, and likely dropping the moniker is appropriate. If not, then what is all the fuss about?
Hubert - 10 years ago
While I feel there needs to be some cultural sensitivity within our society, some things aren't worth making mountains out of molehills. I don't suspect you'll find anyone attempting to change the name of Whiteman Gap above Canmore.
Let's get our facts straight about all the controversy on Western Canada High School changing the Redmen name and logo.
1) Western Canada was established in 1903.
2) The "Redmen" name was adopted in 1923 (because the uniforms were RED).
3) The aboriginal logo was added in the 1960s, and only then was the meaning of the name associated with aboriginals.
Two separate issues - name vs. logo. Let's not lose sight of the origin of the name.
McGill University are also the Redmen (originally dubbed the Red Men) and again, because their jerseys were red. That's it. Are they being asked to change their name? They were, and possibly still are, but again, this is because someone is thinking "Hey, if it says "red", it must be offensive to me even though I'm ignorant of the origins of the name." Of the 48 McGill varsity teams, only football and hockey had adopted an aboriginal logo for a brief period of time, before ultimately dropping the logo because they had nothing to do with the origins of the team name.
So what gives? Fine, if the logo is offensive to aboriginal groups, scrap the logo, but keep the Redmen name. Its origins are deeply routed in history - suddenly ignorant politically-correct jackasses want to change the world?
People, people, people. Being politically correct is great ... until it is taken to the extreme. In saying that, I mean, if this is so sensitive to you, perhaps there should be the suggestion that the Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Braves, Spokane Chiefs, Cleveland Indians or Washington Redskins (to name a few) to change their names as well. Then in thinking that, what about the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Vikings, Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the Oakland Raiders? I don't believe Western Canada High School is disrespecting the First Nations any more than when any of us show up at a Chicago Blackhawks game. We are not dishonouring our First Nations, but celebrating them.
The vast majority of WCHS students are outraged at this decision to change the name. It is a source of pride for us and we are honoring the native culture by using their symbol to represent us. In the board's meeting with First Nations elders, the elders had said themselves that they felt very proud to see that we were being represented by a native man. We do not use "Redmen" as a derogatory term. In fact, the use of their name to represent our schools brings students more awareness and respect for First Nations. And if "Redmen" is considered offensive, why is it still socially acceptable to call Caucasian people "white"?
The uneasiness that some people feel about having to change the name is understandable to many who choose to keep People of the land in a comfortable compartment where they can easily access them when it is convenient. One person made the comment about how the Stampede gives us the chance to show off our pageantry. Very limited vision for sure. The days of keeping us as cultural icons from the past are long over.
We were kept out of the industrial revolution, we were kept out of the political scenery until the 1960's We have even been kept out of the oil boom. We are at a time when we will not be kept out anymore.
The younger generation is starting to understand that since the country has become much more culturally divergent with the immigration of other people, they too must change.
Reducing the name change to economics is simply too easy and convenient for the Western world to do. A very poor argument.
The city of Calgary did my family an honour many years ago when they asked to name Crowchild Bridge and Crowchild trail after us. The Mayor at that time was Jack Lesley and he and his council were forward thinkers and saw the importance of building bridges between the people. They have even honoured my Grandfather by presenting an annual award to the person who best works at bridging the gap. If you look at the names inscribed at city hall you will find people with dignity and respect. They would agree with the issue of name change.
Change is coming whether or not mainstream likes it or not. it would be a much better effort if small steps like a name change was the beginning of a revolution to make this city and province better and inclusive to all people.
Time to stop burying your heads in the sand.
respectfully
Lee Crowchild
If you can't understand why the name is offensive, I don't know that you are at liberty to comment on whether or not it should be changed. As a Western Canada alumni, I thought the name was offensive while I attended the school, and I still do. It is cultural misappropriation, i.e. where one culture (most often one that has a historical record of oppressing other cultures) engages in the unauthorised taking of some aspects of another (most often a minority) culture. Considering Canada's history with Aboriginals I think it is inappropriate to have a team named the Redmen. We completely decimated their culture with residential schools, and now we take their culture and claim it as our own? Its not ours for the taking. I think the history of Canada's Aboriginals and being respectful of their culture is way more important than the history of a school team.
I keep questioning why the name and image seem to be offensive and I just can't get there.
Is it not correct that Native Canadians refer to themselves as reds/Native Canadians? They are not white/Caucasian, Oriental Asian, blacks/African Americans, etc.? I seem to remember history telling us that Native Canadians wore head pieces as is depicted in the image at the school, their uniforms etc. The Native community proudly partakes in festivals, THE STAMPEDE, etc. show casing their beautiful headwear, outfits etc. Why is this now offensive? Why not celebrate this?
There is also the economics side of making these changes. In times when school boards are continuously challenged to find cost cutting measures, would this money not better serve and benefit the entire community?
There is tolerance and then there is simple stupidity.
Has anyone actually consulted with First Nations people on this? Are they offended by the name? If so, then this is a subject for debate, and likely dropping the moniker is appropriate. If not, then what is all the fuss about?
While I feel there needs to be some cultural sensitivity within our society, some things aren't worth making mountains out of molehills. I don't suspect you'll find anyone attempting to change the name of Whiteman Gap above Canmore.