Dear Editor:
In this world there will always be ignorant people, however to completely change the representation of the Elora Mohawks name and logo is short sighted; especially given this is the Creator’s Game.
The Mohawk Nation once stretched far along the banks of the Grand River and to remind the community of this time in history the Mohawks name and logo should remain as a reference and homage to these people.
To change the name and logo is to erase the history of this land and community that has grown here; which is quite ironic when you seek to acknowledge the unfortunate history of the First Nations people.
Acknowledgement of the past is important, however this should not be used to shame those of the present day that were not involved in historical actions.
If individuals use racist or inappropriate terms/language those individuals should be held responsible, not the entirety of a community as this is a form of collective punishment.
Those claiming the name and logo should change in the name of progression should be reminded that this is one of the same reasons they used to place First Nations children into residential schools. Progression and oppression: often there’s a fine line that can quickly morph from one to the other.
For the Centre Wellington community, the Elora Mohawks represent not only the game that has made a small community proud for decades, but also reminds us all of the past that has been.
We are being divided in our community and nation through emotional tropes; we must get back to logic and common sense thinking if we are to truly progress.
I ask a simple question: can you explain why the Mohawk name and logo is problematic, without reducing your argument or opinion to just emotion or insult?
The Mohawks represent a proud history within the community that acknowledges the past, the present and will be a reminder of this for future generations to come.
Wiping their name from history is not the answer.
Dalton McDonald,
Fergus