Native architect in Canada files complaint over U.S. baseball team's racist mascot


Famed Native architect Douglas Cardinal has filed a human rights complaint in Canada against the racist mascot of the Cleveland professional baseball team.

Cardinal, whose initial design was used for the National Museum of the American Indian, says the "Indians" mascot depicts Native people in a stereotypical and offensive manner. He wants the name banned from use in Ontario, where the team is currently playing.

"Mr. Cardinal, who has long fought for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, has simply had enough," attorney Michael Swinwood said in a press release. "Canadian law clearly prohibits discrimination of this nature."

The Ontario Superior Court held an initial hearing on the complaint on Monday morning. The team declined to comment when asked by the Associated Press.

Cardinal is of Blackfoot and Ojibwe ancestry.

Read More on the Story:
Court hearing on potential Ontario ban of Indians name, logo (AP 10/17)
Architect Douglas Cardinal files human rights complaint against use of Cleveland's name, logo (CBC 10/14)
Douglas Cardinal Files Human Rights Challenge Over Cleveland Baseball Team, Mascot (CP 10/14)
ALCS matchup sparks another round of criticism of Cleveland's name, logo (CBC 10/11)

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