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Seneca Nation President weighs in on “Redskins” debate

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WBFO News

While some members of the Lancaster School community want to keep the name “Redskin” for district sports teams, the Seneca Nation is weighing in against it.

Nation President, Maurice John, says the term borders on racism. He notes that despite tradition, a number of New York universities have changed similarly-styled team names.

“The Saint Bonaventure Brown Indians changed their names. They’re now the Bonnies. Saint John’s used to be the Red Men. Now they’re The Storm. So a lot of schools are…a lot of colleges are now thinking about it and the debate is national,” John said.

John says the Seneca people take offense to the name, and that it borders on racism. He says it’s a lesson he does not want children to be taught. The Seneca Nation has joined with the Oneida Nation to challenge the use of the word in the NFL in Washington, as well.

Avery began his broadcasting career as a disc jockey for WRUB, the University at Buffalo’s student-run radio station.
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