Elora Mohawks banners can return – with contextual display

ELORA – Historical banners marking many significant victories for Elora Mohawks lacrosse teams can once again hang in the Jefferson Elora Community Centre.

But they will be accompanied by a permanent contextual display explaining that while the players earned their awards and accolades, lacrosse is an Indigenous sport, the team name was appropriated from Indigenous culture, and the township is committed to truth and reconciliation.

Centre Wellington officials have been grappling with what to do with the banners since they came down for a renovation at the arena and couldn’t be re-installed until conversations with Indigenous representatives had taken place.

In 2019, the Ontario Human Rights Commission wrote a letter to 40 municipalities, including Centre Wellington, urging them to “engage Indigenous communities about the use of Indigenous-themed logos and team names in their sports arenas.”

The letter followed a case in Mississauga, where an Indigenous resident argued the Mississauga Blackhawks – both the name and logo – caused harm to Indigenous youth. The commission ruled the city must remove Indigenous-themed mascots, names and imagery from city-owned sports facilities.

Centre Wellington's manager of community development Kristen Bettiol brought the matter to council in June and returned on Jan. 26 with a draft policy on the use of Indigenous-themed names, logos and imagery.

Bettiol said the Elora Mohawks voluntarily changed their name to the Hawks and the diversity, equity and inclusion working group approved the draft policy after considerable consultation with Indigenous partners and the Hawks’ executive. 

“The banners can be installed, but only with a contextual display,” Bettiol explained.

Artist Kory Parkin, who is also Kanyen’keha (Turtle Clan), was selected to create an art piece “based on his ability to blend the lacrosse/sport world and the Indigenous world,” Bettiol stated in her report.

Parkin joined the meeting via Zoom to explain the imagery used in the art he created for the installation.

The image has two bodies, he said, one representing a European settler and one an Indigenous person.

“They are like two ships, working together, not interfering with each other, respecting each other’s cultures,” he said.

“It’s important, moving forward to use Indigenous symbols properly.”

All councillors sang the praises of Bettiol, Parkin and the working group.

“It’s easy to say 'take the banners down,'” said councillor Jennifer Adams.

“What’s harder is what happened here. There’s such positivity coming out of this.”

“It’s been an amazing journey for us, and just the start of the journey,” Mayor Shawn Watters agreed. “This is very important for our community.”

Council unanimously approved the policy and the contextual display.

Bettiol said the banners and the contextual display, which 19.5 feet long and over three feet tall, will be installed in the Jefferson Elora Community Centre before the start of lacrosse season, directly above the doors to the lobby from the pad.

The wording on the display reads:

Two Rows Together: A Path of Truth and Accountability

The historical banners of the Centre Wellington lacrosse organizations are displayed to honour the past successes and the township's ongoing commitment to truth, learning and accountability. The Township of Centre Wellington recognizes lacrosse as an Indigenous game known as The Creator’s Game. The rebranding of the Centre Wellington Riverhawks and the Elora Hawks Jr. B teams reflect a collective effort to honour the strength and resiliency of Turtle Island's original people and act responsibly, considering the "seven generations to come.” This display is part of the Township of Centre Wellington’s response to Calls to Action 43, 47, 57 and 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. The township is committed to ongoing learning and meaningful relationship-building with Indigenous communities. We all have roles to play on this path. Yours can begin by learning more about our continued journey - Two Rows Together.