Edmonton Elks
The Edmonton Elks, formerly known as the Edmonton Eskimos and briefly as Edmonton Football Team, are a professional Canadian football team. They are based in Edmonton, Alberta. The team plays home games at Commonwealth Stadium. It is part of the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). It was started in 1949. The team has won the league's Grey Cup thirteen times. Only one team has won the cup more often.
In the 21st century, the team nickname caused major controversy because the term "Eskimo" is now considered a slur by the Inuit, the indigenous people of Arctic Canada.[1][2][3] The team dropped the "Eskimos" name on July 21, 2020, using "Edmonton Football Team" as a placeholder name while a new nickname was chosen.[4] The new name of Elks was announced on June 1, 2021.[5]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Bonesteel, Matt (July 17, 2020). "The CFL's Edmonton Eskimos reportedly will change their name". Washington Post.
- ↑ Bellrichard, Chantelle (June 1, 2020). "'Start by changing your team name': Inuk MP responds to Edmonton Eskimos post referencing racism". CBC News.
- ↑ Dunning, Norma (November 17, 2017). "Edmonton Eskimos is a racial slur and it's time to stop using it". The Conversation.
- ↑ "Edmonton Football Team Discontinues Use of the Name Eskimos". CFL.ca (Press release). CFL Enterprises LP. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Edmonton Officially Announces Team Name as Elks" (Press release). Canadian Football League. June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
