The Edmonton Eskimos have been a source of pride & inspiration to our city for over 100 years. Throughout its history, our team has been an example of racial equality and normality in North American, showcasing a team of individuals from all races and walks of life. 

When the stereotypes in the United States prevented athletes, such as Warren Moon, from becoming an NFL quarterback, it was Hugh Campbell that rejected that blatant racism and gave him the opportunity to play in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos. After showcasing his dominance as a beloved quarterback in Edmonton, Warren Moon was given his opportunity to play in the NFL and eventually was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

At a time when Chinese immigrants faced discrimination, it was Normie Kwong who helped break down cultural barriers and prejudices in our own Canadian society. Normie Kwong became a superstar in Canadian football with the Edmonton Eskimos and earned a rushing record that stood for over 56 years. Canadian children grew up cheering for his prowess as a player and eventually the beloved football star became the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. 

Clearly, prejudice can be overcome through something as simple as sport.

The word “eskimo” is derived from the indigenous Algonquin language and means “”snowshoe-netter.” The Inuit Circumpolar Conference adopted the name “Inuit” in 1977, but still uses both terms “eskimo” and “inuit” in their official documents to this day, because “Eskimo” is still the correct method to reference the Eskimo linguistic dialects of the Yupik & Inuit.

Calgarians choose to call Edmonton’s the “Esquimeaux” (the archaic spelling for Eskimo), as an ode to Edmonton’s northern geographically and climate. Edmontonians did not take the word as an insult, quite the opposite, we adopted it as a badge of honour.

Are there racially insensitive sports teams in existence today? Yes. The Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians, as examples, still use derogatory colonial names. The term “eskimo” was not a colonial name. It was an ethnic named used by the indigenous of this country to describe, in all simplicity, those that netted snowshoes. Likely, many names & places on our planet have simple linguistic roots.

We respect the proud Inuit & Yupik peoples. We respect their wishes to always be referred to by the titles they have deemed proper.

It is in that spirit of respect and friendship, that we also ask in return that the citizens of Edmonton and their traditions are also respected. It was over 100 years ago, our city claimed the term “Eskimo” not out of a spirit of racism, nor misunderstanding, but as a point of pride, being northerners.

It is with that history and understanding that we must continue being the “Edmonton Eskimos.” It’s a name we have built, it is a name we have earned, and it is a name we love! We are the Edmonton Eskimos and we can be no other.

We ask our Mayor Don Iveson and the Councillors of the City of Edmonton to pledge their support to continuing the proud tradition of the Edmonton Eskimos and commit to not changing its name.