Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington minor lacrosse unveils new team name, logo, Jan. 27.
As per the recent name change of Centre Wellington minor lacrosse from Mohawks to Riverhawks, I wish to give both compliments and constructive criticism to the present executive on the recent change.
If we blinked and made changes to everything the Ontario Human Rights Commission suggested was harmful to Indigenous people you’d go stir crazy. To make this decision back in 2019 and keep it from general discussion to both the general public and past and present coaches and executives who built the organization in both Elora and Fergus is unbelievable.
Since my involvement in the Fergus/Elora lacrosse loop since 1979, I have made some strong friendships with Indigenous people and still keep in touch with my Six Nations friends through lacrosse.
Ask any of the “Landonis” about all friends made with Six Nations contacts over the years. “Nothing but good things to say.”
The Mohawks name very well should be kept. In the present world of recognizing all nationalities and all people of all places, the Mohawks name should educate today’s world that the name honours Indigenous people who invented lacrosse.
You have people on the executive who have played both minor and junior careers in Elora and Fergus. They to this day they are still proud to be part of “Mohawk” lacrosse. You even have someone who won a Canadian Championship (Founders Cup) in 1976.
Since Elora and Fergus minor lacrosse associations combined as one in 2009, it has been a success, winning and competing against the big centres of Whitby, Peterborough, Brampton, etc. is due to the work of many on the past and present executives.
Members of past executives who should be recognized for building the past Elora and Fergus organizations are: Annie McDonald, Marlene McDonald, June Bernier, Larry Galbraith and Mac Mason.
For those who proudly wore the Mohawk jersey over the years to not speak up and abandon ship is hard to accept.
As a past player, coach, executive and referee of the Fergus minor association, damage has been done. I wish the present executive all the best in maintaining a stable and winning association.
Dan Sytsma,
Fergus