A UBC Okanagan sociology class is calling on the owner of the Kelowna Chiefs to change the team香蕉视频直播檚 name because it香蕉视频直播檚 racially insensitive.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e trying to start a movement,香蕉视频直播� 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 McGill香蕉视频直播檚 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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香蕉视频直播淚t could also be how they香蕉视频直播檙e not too sure on how (the Kelowna Chiefs are perceived) out here. If they香蕉视频直播檙e in their area and maybe (they don香蕉视频直播檛 know) what it香蕉视频直播檚 like to be a First Nations student at UBC where you do see the racism from outsiders. I think it香蕉视频直播檚 a different perspective,香蕉视频直播� said Debungie. The WFN香蕉视频直播檚 office council building is 16 km from UBC Okanagan.

The class sent an email to the Capital News yesterday afternoon stating:

香蕉视频直播淭he team logo of an 香蕉视频直播榠ndian香蕉视频直播� with two tomahawks springing from his head is offensive and insulting. The logo and club name have no place in our community 香蕉视频直播� 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 teams香蕉视频直播� 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.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 been movements happening throughout the Canada and U.S. trying to get the names and logos removed. They香蕉视频直播檙e not the ones who have lived that life, and they don香蕉视频直播檛 know what it香蕉视频直播檚 like,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淭hey sent it to the press and didn香蕉视频直播檛 contact us. In nine years, we香蕉视频直播檝e had four inquiries, all were responded to and invited to meet and discuss and not one person would take us up on that,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e talked to the WFN in the past香蕉视频直播� but it hasn香蕉视频直播檛 been an issue until this letter popped up.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚 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. We香蕉视频直播檙e open to talk about anything and everything,香蕉视频直播� he said, adding he was disappointed he wasn香蕉视频直播檛 contacted and the class instead chose to contact local media outlets.

Sheridan said he would 香蕉视频直播渁lways香蕉视频直播� be open to changing the team香蕉视频直播檚 name, but it has to be with a purpose and intent.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not something that one person can just say hey, we don香蕉视频直播檛 like the colour of your vehicle you should change it. There are lots of moving parts there,香蕉视频直播� 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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