Clyde Bellecourt and his cohorts caved in on the Warroad Warriors after a meeting with Henry Boucha on Monday. Basically, Bellecourt's group released a statement admitting that it did not properly research the connection between the nickname, Warroad High School and the Warroad Indian Community.
Here was the statement released to Jess Myers, formerly a Warroad resident and a reporter who has been following this story:
"Today, Monday August 18th, the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media Board of Directors met with Mr. Henry Boucha, an Ojibwe/Annishinabeg respected leader and elder. Henry Boucha educated the Board on the history of the Warroad community and logo.
"Out of further review, we the National Coalition Against Racism Sports and Media Board -- in respecting the culture and history of the Warroad Indigenous community -- offer our apologies to the elders and community.
"We rescind our letter of Friday the 15th to the Warroad School Board with regard to litigation.
"Henry Boucha and the Warroad Community also respect and support the efforts of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media and its attempt to educate and eradicate harmful mascots and logos that do irreparable harm and denigrate our community.
"Mr. Boucha has agreed to continue the dialogue and become a board member of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media."
NOTE: See this previous post on this blog for more details.
