After years of lobbying, Bedford Road Collegiate sports teams have a new team name and logo.
The Saskatoon high school unveiled its new logo – the Redhawks – at a student rally this morning.
The new name comes from red-tailed hawks, a bird of prey commonly found in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Public School Board decided to dump the old name – Redmen – this past spring after continued pressure from Aboriginal activists who say the name is racist and promotes negative stereotypes.
Principal Cody Hanke says although he doesn’t necessarily agree the team name and logo had to be changed, it is time to move forward.
“You know what, I think it’s been a journey,” he says. “Since I became principal three years ago the journey started back then. Whether I agree with it or not, I think it’s a decision that was made and we need to move forward. I’m very happy with how we’re moving forward now.”
Student council co-president Hailey Lavallee, who herself is of Métis descent, says initially students were a bit resistant to the change but they are now rallying behind the new logo.
“A lot of people weren’t happy with it but, you know, it has to happen so you know we’re happy now and it’s going to be a new beginning for everybody here at Bedford,” she says.
The school is currently in the process of selling off team clothing and memorabilia that bears the old Redmen logo within the community.
The new Redhawks logo is the result of three design consultation sessions with students, staff, parents and community members.
Bedford Road Collegiate sports teams had donned the Redmen logo since the 1920’s.