Despite criticism, 57 per cent of Canadians find Edmonton Eskimos name ‘acceptable’: survey

by CTVNews.ca Staff

The term “Eskimo” is widely considered an ethnic slur by Inuit people, but a majority of Canadians don’t have a problem with the branding of the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, according to a new survey.

Research released Thursday by Insights West, a Vancouver-based marketing research company, found that 21 per cent of Canadians find the football team’s name and logo unacceptable, while 57 per cent found it acceptable. Another 23 per cent said they were undecided.

Even fewer Canadans took issue with the logo, the poll found, with 71 per cent considering the franchise “acceptable” while 12 per cent disagreed.

he findings were released one week after Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson urged the team to take steps toward changing its name. Ideally, Iveson said the team would reach out to the public and find a new name before the Grey Cup is held in Edmonton next year.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman has also called on the team to opt for a more inclusive name.

Several leaders within the Inuit community openly oppose the team’s name. Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, has called on the team to listen to Inuit communities and make the change.

The word “Eskimo” was widely believed to be of Algonquin origin and mean “eaters of raw meat,” but some scholars have suggested that it actually comes from the Innu-aimun language and means “one who laces snowshoes.”

full story at http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/despite-criticism-57-per-cent-of-canadians-find-edmonton-eskimos-name-acceptable-survey-1.3683743