APTN National News
The term “redskins” is no different than the N-word says an Ottawa man who has filed a human rights complaint to get a local football team to change its name.
The complaint was filed by Ian Campeau with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against the Nepean Redskins Football Club who for years has fought criticism over its name.
“The players call each other ‘redskins’ on the field,” said Campeau, an Ojibway in a press release. “How are they going to differentiate the playing field from the school yard? What’s going to stop them from calling my daughter a redskin in the school yard? That’s as offensive as using the n-word.”
Campeau, a member of the popular Indigenous DJ group A Tribe Called Red, is not seeking money but the name to be changed and the tribunal to force the club to do so.
He has proposed a five-year period to phase in a new name and logo.
Campeau said he reached out to the club but got no response.
News of his complaint quickly spread on social media where Campeau defended his action.
“It’s called systemic socially acceptable racial oppression. It’s marginalizing and stereotyping by race. It’s racist,” said Campeau in response to critics on Twitter.
He has the support of the Assembly of First Nations, Native Women’s Association of Canada and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has agreed to take his case pro bono.
“Our preference always is to work together to reach respectful outcomes and it is unfortunate that this step must be taken as a last resort. It is time to banish the term ‘redskins,'” said National Chief Shawn Atleo in a release.
