Amid calls to revisit their logo over accusations of cultural appropriation, at least one First Nations Chief says he sees nothing wrong with the Vancouver Canucks logo.
«Is racism an issue? Absolutely. Is it something we should work together to eradicate? Absolutely. But am I troubled by the Canucks logo? No way, nope, no way,» said Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Coast Salish Nation in an interview with CTV.
In an statement on Twitter, University of Manitoba professor Sean Carleton slammed the Canucks for use of the logo, which appears to mimic Indigenous art.
"People will say, but Sean the imagery is a 'a sign of respect.' How respectful is continuing to make piles of money from a business you operate on stolen land all the while branding that business with stolen imagery. That's the logic of colonial capitalism for you."
CTV also caught up with the creator of the logo, Brent Lynch, who told them First Nations Chiefs were consulted during the creation of the orca design.
"They didn't have a problem with it, and thought it was too cartoonish to be Indigenous art,» said Lynch from his Vancouver Island home. «We wouldn't have done it if it was too close to their ceremonial art.»
