CALGARY – A recent move by a Saskatchewan school has some questioning if Western Canada High School should follow in their footsteps.
On Wednesday, members of the Saskatoon Public School Board voted in favour of changing the name of a local sports team.
The Bedford Road Collegiate ‘Redmen’ have been a staple in the city since 1923. However, the board had been under pressure to change the controversial name for the past two years, after complaints it was culturally insensitive.
The school recently announced it will also be changing the team’s logo, which features the head of a First Nations man with a feather in his braided hair.
Here in Calgary, Western Canada High School also uses the ‘Redmen’ name for their athletic teams, which have a similar logo.
The Calgary Board of Education says discussions about a potential change to the name and logo have been underway since late 2013.
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The CBE released a statement about the topic on March 5th:
“The CBE is working with Western Canada High School on a process to review its logo and sports and activity team name, currently known as the Redmen.
This process was initiated in late 2013. Conversations and consultations have begun and will take place with various groups representing the wider school community.
Approaches for the selection and implementation of a possible new name will honour the traditions of the school and the interests of all concerned stakeholders.
The CBE is committed to supporting changes to ensure that schools and the CBE system respect and reflect the diversity of our students, our communities and our city, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Area directors and principals have been encouraged to review school names, mascots and logos to ensure they are fully respectful of all the cultures that make up the Calgary community.
This process is ongoing and is being supported by the CBE. Further details will be released when they are available.”
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