Are the names "Sarnia Braves" and "Indian Road" offensive? According to the Chief of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, it depends on who you ask.
Chief Chris Plain told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM/1070 AM) that a lot of people are at different stages of their healing process.
"There's a lot of people who are angry, there's a lot of emotions out there, and so yeah, some of these things would be offensive to people. But the general feedback I got, and it might not have been 100 per cent and we didn't actually engage the community on the 'Braves' name change, a lot of people didn't find it very offensive."
In April, Sarnia's senior baseball team changed its name, from Braves to Brigade, after Baseball Ontario deemed the "Braves" moniker and logo offensive.
Chief Plain said there was never any discussion on the First Nation's part to change the name. He added that Aamjiwnaang has had a lot of people involved in the Braves organization over the years, and that the First Nation is a supporter of the ball club.
"We had them come down here and they rented our ball diamond for a few years, the midgets, and they played their home games here at our diamond. And so, I don't know that our community at that time would've been supportive of doing that if they had an issue with the name."
Plain also discussed a proposal to change the name of "Indian Road" in Sarnia.
"We have had one of our members propose that perhaps we should encourage the city to look at changing it. It is a very major road in the city and so I'm recognizing the fact that it would take a lot to do that," he said. "It just kind of rolls off my tongue. I'm used to it and I don't really find offense to it."
Plain suggested the possibility of giving Indian Road an alternative name.
"The same with Modeland Road has been named Veterans Parkway. You can call it what you want, but it still carries two names. Perhaps there might be some thought about changing the [Indian Road] name to something that more was reflective of today's type of perception of our community."
Chief Plain said it's all about education, informing and sharing what they know with the dominant society.
"We've been called a lot of things in our time -- Native, Aboriginal, Indigenous -- but we are Anishinaabe."
Plain said one of the educational pieces he'd like to see taught in schools is the recognition of different countries.
"And then maybe if people can, instead of saying 'what kind of Indian are you' -- because that doesn't sound very appropriate and people are reluctant to say that -- they might come out and say 'are you Anishinaabe, are you Haudenosaunee, are you Cree,' you know, those types of things I think would make a better conversation."
-With files from Sue Storr
https://soundcloud.com/blackburnradio-sarnia/covid-19-aamjiwnaang-chief-chris-plain-july-14th-2021
