Surrey’s Semiahmoo Secondary changes team name in consultation with First Nation

A high school in Surrey has renamed its athletic teams, a move made in consultation with the Semiahmoo First Nation in order to advance reconciliation.

“Thunderbirds” has replaced “Totems” as the official team name at Semiahmoo Secondary School.

“The change was motivated by a desire to accurately and respectfully recognize the Semiahmoo First Nation through continued discussions with Chief Harley Chappell and other members. Over the last few years, the school has worked with the Semiahmoo First Nation to rebuild their relationship and better represent their traditions and culture,” said a statement from the school district Thursday.

Totems to Thunderbirds: Semiahmoo Secondary changes team name as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts with the @SemiahmooFN.
Read more about this important change: https://t.co/Q5JPjAS8Af #sd36learn #SurreyBC #WhiteRockBC #SouthSurrey #Reconciliation @SemiahmooSec @SSSAA_SD36

— Surrey Schools (@Surrey_Schools) October 21, 2021

Lyn Daniels, director of instruction with the district’s Aboriginal Learning department, explains why a name change was necessary.

“The Semiahmoo and other Coast Salish First Nations didn’t create totem poles or house posts, they had welcome figures to welcome people to the territory,” she said.

“The Semiahmoo Totems is a misunderstanding of who the Semiahmoo people are and what could represent them.”

 

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Vice-Principal Robert Dewinetz said the new name arose after dialogue between Chief Harvey Chappell and staff on the school’s Aboriginal Team.

“We started talking about what name would reflect the culture and the land, and that’s how we landed on Thunderbirds,” he says.

“In terms of bridge building, the fact that a dialogue is actually occurring when it hasn’t happened for a while is huge. We’re building a relationship that wasn’t there years ago. This is an important step that our school is taking towards reconciliation.”

The new name has been endorsed by the Semiahmoo First Nation Band Council.

“We appreciate seeing growing sensitivity and efforts for reconciliation in the community. We are glad for the work we have done with Semiahmoo Secondary is bearing fruit,” reads a post on the Nation’s Facebook page.

Daniels noted the school’s decision comes amid the renaming of teams in professional sports, with the NFL and CFL recently changing team names that had been long-criticized as racist and offensive.

“This has been a longstanding issue, that sports organizations take imagery from Indigenous cultures and use it disrespectfully in ways that are not aligned,” Daniels said. “It takes some courage to say, ‘We made a mistake, but now we want to do better, we want to be more respectful, and as part of our reconciliation, we’re changing the name.’ And that’s really important.”