The Nepean Redskins Football team is being asked to change its name.
“You can’t tell me it is not a racist name when it’s pointing out the so-called colour of someone’s skin,” said Aboriginal Ian Campeau
The Nepean Redskins have been around for 40 years. It is one of the oldest youth football programs in Ottawa. Their logo is of the profile of a native warrior.
Campeau renewed a campaign he launched last year to change the team’s name. He said children should not be exposed to the tern “Redskins.”
“In every dictionary definition the word is defined as offensive and condoning term," said Campeau. "For children, it’s very confusing to say your team is called the Redskins but you shouldn’t call anyone a Redskin."
Campeau started a petition and Facebook group. He also tried lobbying city officials who dismissed his complaint.
“I think he’s looking for trouble where none exists,” said Councillor Jan Harder. “They’re a very respectful league and organization and I certainly am not in a position to suggest that they change and I’m not going to."
Harder said in context of a youth football team, the name and logo are not offensive.
“In their minds when they’re looking at the Nepean Redskins are they seeing anything bad? Absolutely not. So by bringing attention to this and making it an issue is totally unnecessary in today’s culture," Harder adds.
Campeau said he hasn’t received any response from the football team.
“If it was called the dark skins that had an African profile of a man this wouldn’t be an issue. But because it’s aboriginal for some reason I’m not given respect," said Campeau.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro.
