Statement by Chief Ghislain Picard in Response to an Article on the Chicago Blackhawks Logo

WENDAKE, QC, Nov. 6, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - "Today, I feel compelled to issue a statement to present my version and respond to an article written by Jonathan Guay, a sports commentator, who wrote for the Journal de Québec and has taken comments I made about the Chicago Blackhawks logo, and made his interpretation of them in order to discredit me and the position I was trying to express.

First of all, I stand by my comments made to CBC Radio and not Radio-Canada. Never once, did I say the Chicago Blackhawks logo was discriminatory. Never once did I say that it was time to change the Chicago Blackhawks logo. Never once did I say that the Blackhawks logo was as discriminatory as the Redskins logo.

I did say that, at a minimum, our peoples demand respect and consideration for what they stand for. I did say that the Chicago Blackhawks logo was not the subject of a debate that could compare to many points of view expressed with regards to the Washington Redskins logo.

This was the response provided during an interview on a much sensitive matter involving the failure of the justice system when it comes to our peoples. The new logo by Ojibwa artist Mike Ivall was presented to me for a reaction. I said: "Sure, why not!" if it signals a sign of respect for what our peoples think.

I always respect the opinion of others although I may not always agree. This is even more true if those opinions are based on biased journalism, guided in the absence of the most basic principles of the profession. So, with this said, I will not react to the negative and contemptuous comments that this issue generated."

About the AFNQL

The Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Mélanie Vincent: [email protected] , Cell.: 418-580-4442