On the left is the old logo for Red Deer Minor Hockey, and the new one is on the right, with several alterations to make it more authentic and accurate to local Indigenous people of Treaty 6 and Treaty 7.

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

ceremony this friday

Red Deer Minor Hockey alters ‘Chiefs’ logo in, “great act of reconciliation,” Chief says

Oct 11, 2023 | 5:10 PM

Chief Wilton Littlechild says the gesture of Red Deer Minor Hockey to approach him and other Indigenous leaders in advance of altering their primary logo was, “a great one for reconciliation.”

Since 1967, Red Deer Minor Hockey has employed the name Chiefs and a logo that is an image of an Indigenous Chief in a ceremonial headdress.

It was in ’67, Canada’s Centennial year, that then Chief John Samson of Maskwacis gave permission to the hockey association to adopt the name and logo as a tribute to the local Indigenous community.

But in recent years, calls have become louder and louder for sports organizations everywhere to reconsider using Indigenous-based names and logos, some calling it cultural appropriation.

Among others, Edmonton’s CFL team has become the Elks, Washington’s NFL team became the Commanders, Cleveland’s MLB team became the Guardians, and the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks changed their logo, which was akin to the current Chicago Blackhawks insignia, to an actual hawk.

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For Red Deer Minor Hockey, the process of change has been a little different.

The logo has been tweaked in the following ways to more accurately depict an Indigenous Chief of Treaty 6 and Treaty 7:

• colours on headdress changed
• feathers changed on the headdress and by the ears to better resemble those of an eagle
• face-paint removed
• pony-tail removed

Tweet below added Oct. 13

IN PICTURES: The #RedDeer @RDOptimstChiefs officially start a new era w/ a revamped 'Chiefs' logo, re-blessed by Chief Wilton Littlechild CM, with a pre-game ceremony at their home opener.

ICYMI, here is my story with Chief Littlechild & @reddeerhockey: https://t.co/7LcILLcMpj pic.twitter.com/D7Eq5XAMhj

— Josh Hall-rdnewsNOW👾 (@vancan19) October 14, 2023

“It’s a very great honour for us as Indigenous peoples from the Four Nations of Maskwacis to be able to reaffirm our relationship with the city of Red Deer and the minor hockey association, in respect to the honour they give to us and our culture by naming the team Chiefs,” says Chief Wilton Littlechild, who was born in Maskwacis, has served as International Chief of Treaties 6, 7 and 8, and is a Member of the Order of Canada.

“Secondly, I think it’s a great, great act of reconciliation for them to step forward like that through the power of sport to make our relationship better. Yes, there have been some changes where others have demanded that there be a change, but this is very different in that one of our former chiefs in a ceremony had given the honour of the name to the minor hockey association. It’s an honour for us to reaffirm that relationship now.”

Al Sim, president of Red Deer Minor Hockey, says the association is proud of what it’s done to consult the Indigenous community on this matter.

“We’ve altered our logo to make it more authentic. Going forward, we’ll also have a Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 patch which depicts a Chief shaking hands in peace with a representative of the Crown, and burying the hatchet in the years those treaties were signed, 1876 and 1877,” he describes. “It’s going to be about a three-year phase in for our association’s 72 teams, with two sets of jerseys per team.”

The new logo will get a pre-game ceremonial unveiling this Friday when the U18AAA Optimist Chiefs have their 2023-24 home opener. The team is asking fans to wear their Chiefs jerseys and be in their seats for 7:45 p.m., with puck drop at 8. It will include a land acknowledgement which will be used at games going forward.

Sim adds that Optimist Chiefs players recently went on an educational retreat where they heard from former Calgary Hitmen and ECHL player Brent Dodginghorse, who runs DH Ranch on Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary.

For Littlechild, there’s a deeper personal connection here, he admits, sharing that his son, grandson and two nephews have played for Red Deer Minor Hockey.

Littlechild was asked what he’d suggest youth think about when pulling on one of these jerseys, saying the first thing for them to remember is that we are all treaty people.

“By that, I mean that across the country, these relationships go both ways in the sense that we are treaty partners, so we are all treaty peoples. So we have a responsibility then to uplift and honour the name being used. It’s a great teaching moment every time the young people put on the jersey to not only advance reconciliation and get to know what reconciliation is, but also for them to find out more about this tricky relationship,” says Littlechild, adding the Métis, in addition to those of Treaties 6 and 7, shouldn’t be forgotten.

“Chief is the highest honour in our culture that you can give a person. Likewise, the young people should know that not only should they live up to that honour of receiving it, but it bestows on them a relationship and responsibility. For example, there are teachings of honesty, kindness, sharing and strength they may learn from it. As a player, it speaks to us respecting the rules when we play, and we honour our opponents by being kind, but also by using strength and discipline.”

Littlechild explains there’s another treaty lesson for players hidden in the colours of the altered logo.

“Every time they put on that jersey, they are reminded that our relationship is meant to last long; as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows, especially with the Red Deer River flowing between the two treaties, 6 and 7,” he says, referencing the sunset clause related to several treaties.

“This is all around so special in terms of honouring both our cultures and being treaty peoples.”

The Red Deer Minor Hockey Commission adds that remains dedicated to promoting a positive and respectful environment for all players, coaches, and fans, while honoring the Indigenous heritage and peoples that have shaped the community and land its players play on.