The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a year after doing away with the old Redmen name that the university said caused pain and alienation for Indigenous students. The move by the Montreal university comes after a … Men’s sports teams picked up the nickname ‘Indians’, while ‘Squaws’ referred to the women’s teams. Last year he forced McGill University to change its racist team name; now he's valedictorian MONTREAL -- Just over a year ago, in April 2019, McGill University announced it would change the name of all its men’s varsity sports teams, doing away with the “Redmen” slur. Let's Get Started! They feel conflicted over their rightful pride in being Indigenous people, and their pride in being McGill students. UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here. Some information in it may no longer be current. The men’s varsity sports teams at McGill University have a new name: the McGill Redbirds. “It strikes that balance between being a new name, being part of our tradition and being the kind of name everyone will be able to rally around,” Labeau said in an interview. McGill men's sports teams to be named Redbirds after lengthy process 2020-11-17 Police expected to update investigation into stabbings at library in North Vancouver McGill adopted the name in the 1920s in reference to its red uniforms. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. McGill University’s men’s varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. The McGill U Sports football Redbirds is one of the oldest in all of Canada, having begun organized competition in 1874. For the 2019-2020 athletic season, the men’s varsity teams will be known as the McGill teams. In a non-binding vote organized by McGill's student union, nearly 80% of students voted in favour of removing the name Redmen from the men’s varsity teams. MONTREAL -- McGill University has announced the new name for its men's varsity athletic teams: The McGill Redbirds. McGill University’s men’s varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. But as Global’s Benson Cook reports, some are saying the university missed an opportunity when they chose the name 'Redbirds' – Nov 17, 2020, Watch Live: Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle, Over 3 million people have now died of COVID-19 worldwide, Prince Philip’s funeral planned with Royal family tension in mind, Ontario extends COVID-19 stay-at-home order, announces tighter restrictions, Workers fired after video shows party at Milton construction site, Pentagon confirms leaked footage of ‘pyramid-shaped’ UFOs is real, Ontario to set up border checkpoints, beef up police powers, Ontario’s new COVID-19 restrictions include increased police powers, McGill University alumni, students come together remove James McGill statue, fight inequality. Competitive Ultimate Frisbee Teams at McGill 12, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier announced her intention to change the name of the men’s varsity sports teams in an email to the McGill community. The team has appeared in three Vanier Cup national championships, in 1969, 1973 and 1987, with the team finally winning the title in the 1987 game. Dr. Fortier said she had heard about the pride many alumni and student athletes had in the team name. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. MONTREAL (AP) — McGill University has dropped the name Redmen from its varsity sports teams after receiving complaints that the name is a racial slur. "A couple of decades ago, the Indian Act wouldn't have allowed an Indigenous student to go to McGill without losing their status," he said. Schools and sports teams across North America have wrestled with the legacy of team names that reference Indigenous stereotypes, which many find offensive. Recognizing that is not an attack on any student, administrator or alumnus.”. Many students have been pushing the university to change the name of their varsity sports team, which was the Redmen because it is seen as discriminatory to the First Nations community. The name “Redbirds” dates back to the founding of McGill’s Red Birds Ski Club in 1928. “I am quite proud of the work we put in, of the fact people managed to rally and push past feelings of discomfort, to find the courage to get past it,” he said. They feel disrespected and unconsidered. Thank you for your patience. 808 likes. A January submission signed by Montreal lawyer Richard Rusk and 50 other alumni urged the university to keep the name, adhere to and explain its original meaning, and push harder to welcome and support Indigenous people. Advertisement . The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a year after doing away with the old name that the university said caused pain and alienation for Indigenous students. Jirousek, a member of the rowing crew, was at the forefront of a student campaign to get McGill to drop the name "Redmen" for its sports teams, which Indigenous students described as offensive and alienating. He said there are other steps toward reconciliation, including investment in Indigenous support services and outreach to Indigenous communities. ), “It’s quite alienating for a lot of people,” she said. Suzanne Fortier, McGill's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, issued a statement today that described her decision to change the name of the "Redmen" — the name of most of McGill's men's sports teams.. This tension is even stronger for Indigenous student-athletes.”. The change took effect immediately. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . McGill Ultimate Team. McGill University has dropped the name Redmen from its varsity sports teams after receiving complaints that the name is a racial slur. April 12, 2019 Dear members of the McGill community, In January, I committed to reaching a decision on the Redmen name before the end of the academic year. Their former name, 'Redmen', was criticized by Indigenous students and alumni as a racial slur. The name Redbirds was previously used by McGill for their ski clubs, baseball teams, and for a sports shop. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. "'Redmen' is a slur, that’s a fact. McGill University has dropped the name Redmen from its varsity sports teams after receiving complaints that the name is a racial slur, Principal Suzanne Fortier said in a statement Friday, April 12, 2019. McGill men’s sports teams to be named Redbirds after lengthy process. If McGill maintains its team’s name, it … McGill University is dropping the Redmen name for its men's varsity sports teams, effective immediately, the university announced Friday. Principal and vice-chancellor Suzanne Fortier announced the move on Friday in a note to McGill students, faculty, staff and alumni, saying she had consulted with them, along with Indigenous people who had asked that the name be retired. That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately, it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly, generally within an hour. Want to discuss? Thirteen committee meetings were held by the Men's Varsity Teams Naming Committee. That association was made in the 1950s when men’s and women’s teams came to be nicknamed the “Indians” and “Squaws.”. McGill Univer­sity’s men’s var­sity sports teams will be known as the Red­birds go­ing for­ward, the univer­sity an­nounced Tues­day. McGill University has dropped the Redmen name for its sports teams, effective immediately. A committee considered 1,200 submissions with 230 proposed names, referring the more popular ones back for a second consultation with the community. MONTREAL -- Just over a year ago, in April 2019, McGill University announced it would change the name of all its men’s varsity sports teams, doing away with the “Redmen” slur. Students … The men’s varsity sports teams at McGill University have a new name: the McGill Redbirds. The Naming Committee has come together to outline the process by which the school will move away from the historic "Redmen" team name of years past. James McGill started McGill Manufacturing in 1905, initially producing electric light and wiring products. This article was published more than 2 years ago. The company made a variety of products such as … If you are looking to give feedback on our new site, please send it along to, To view this site properly, enable cookies in your browser. A committee will lead a search for a new name in time for the 2020-21 academic year. Dr. Fortier made the final decision. The men’s sports teams will be referred to as ‘the McGill teams’ during the 2019-20 season and a committee will choose a new name … McGill University will no longer use the name Redmen for its sports teams, university president Suzanne Fortier announced Friday. Suzanne Fortier, the school's principal and vice-chancellor, announced her decision Friday, saying the name made indigenous students feel alienated. Whatever the name’s meaning in 1929, today, Redmen is a racist term referring to Indigeneity. Some threatened to stop donating. A former North Carolina Tar Heels running back, McGill … We saw Indigenous communities withdrawing from McGill,” Jirousek said from Toronto. Memphis Redbirds. First Nations student honoured as McGill valedictorian after leading fight against 'Redmen' team name | CBC News Tomas Jirousek, a First Nations student who led the campaign to get McGill University to change the name of its men's sports teams, graduated last week as one of the Montreal university's few Indigenous valedictorians. (CNN)McGill University will no longer use the name Redmen for its men's varsity sports teams after students argued the term was an offensive racial slur. McGill University is changing its controversial ‘Redmen’ varsity sports team name. McGill University has announced that effective today, its sports teams will no longer be called the Redmen. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. The official 2020 Men's Basketball Roster for the McGill University Redbird and Martlets Skip To Main Content ... Mac Campus Hours of Operation Information for our Community Where to Stay While Visiting Travel & Directions Map of the McGill Sports Complex Corporate Partnership Program Staff Directory / Contact Us Job Opportunities Students' Athletics Council. The men’s sports teams will be referred to as ‘the McGill teams’ during the 2019-20 season and a committee will choose a new name … McGill University has chosen Redbirds as the new name for its men's varsity sports teams. “I don’t think it represents the end of this discussion at all.”. McGill University made the announcement Tuesday, more than a year after doing away with the old Redmen name. Just as the world changes, the McGill community grows and evolves. McGill University's varsity men's sports teams will now be known as the Redbirds. McGill University alumni, students come together remove James McGill statue, fight inequality. Lacroix said a robust process took place to ensure community members were involved in the discussions. Throughout McGill’s history, campus media and yearbooks have used phrases like “Indians on warpath” and “Redman scalped” when referring to sports games. Whatever the name’s meaning in 1929, today, Redmen is a racist term referring to Indigeneity. McGill University will no longer use the name Redmen for its sports teams, university president Suzanne Fortier announced Friday. The name was chosen following over 1,238 submissions which were comprised of 230 options. SPORTS. The university will set up a committee to work on choosing a new name for its men’s varsity teams… Read our, I'm a print subscriber, link to my account, Read more about following topics and authors. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Click here to subscribe. The University will announce a new name in time for the 2020-2021 season. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press via AP) 1 of 2. The university will set up a committee to work on choosing a new name for its men’s varsity teams… “The process very flawed and biased," said Salim Brahimi, an engineer who played soccer at McGill in the 1980s and wanted the name to stay. “I have learned about the true depths of the pain caused by the Redmen name," Dr. Fortier wrote. While the name is said to stem from colours worn by the team in the 1920s, press and fans have often used Indigenous symbols, connotations and unofficial nicknames in relation to the team. “I think if we really want to put the Redmen name behind us once and for all, that means reaching out to Indigenous communities, overcoming the legacy of the Redmen name, not just changing the name itself.”. He said the small-but-growing population of 320 Indigenous students on McGill campus helped provoke change, as did increased awareness among others of the need for reconciliation. The McGill U Sports football Redbirds is one of the oldest in all of Canada, having begun organized competition in 1874. McGill University sports teams drop ‘Redmen’ name amid criticism. McGill University’s men’s sports teams to be named Redbirds, McGill University to rename men’s varsity teams ‘Redbirds’, WATCH: After years of heated debate, Montreal's McGill University has landed on a new name for their men's varsity teams. Over these past months, I have read and reflected on the McGill community’s varied perspectives on the issue. Dozens of McGill alumni had signed petitions to keep the name. The team has appeared in three Vanier Cup national championships, in 1969, 1973 and 1987, with the team finally winning the title in the 1987 game. The Canadian school men's varsity teams will be known as McGill team until a new name is chosen, school officials said. “Now that I am, I realized it’s now time for a change.”. Tomas Jirousek, a rower, third-year political science student and member of the Kainai First Nation in Alberta, led recent efforts to drop the name. McGill University has dropped the use of “Redmen” from varsity men’s sports teams after the head of the school acknowledged “the depths of pain” the name has caused Indigenous students. "The decision that was made was expedient and politically correct, but doesn’t really do anything to improve the cause of Indigenous people. McGill University and its students have been in what seemed like a never-ending battle over the name of their men's varsity sports leagues. The official 2020 Men's Basketball Roster for the McGill University Redbird and Martlets Skip To Main Content ... Mac Campus Hours of Operation Information for our Community Where to Stay While Visiting Travel & Directions Map of the McGill Sports Complex Corporate Partnership Program Staff Directory / Contact Us Job Opportunities Students' Athletics Council. 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