Montreal Alouettes assailed for 'Cowboys and Indians' costume party

A 'Wild Wild West'costume party attended by some Montreal Alouettes' football players last Monday in Montreal has sparked an online backlash from First Nations people and otherswho say it smacks of cultural appropriation and promotes stereotypes.

The issuecame to light afterAlouettes' linebacker Kyries Hebert appeared in photo posted to Instagram,decked out in face paint, a feather headdress, a bone-choker necklace and a suede loincloth. In the photo, awoman at his side sports a low-cut fringed dress and headdress,while bothclutchthe same hunting spear.

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The costume promotes unhelpful stereotypes, saidJessica Deer, a columnist and reporter at the Mohawk territory of Kahnawake weekly, TheEastern Door.

"It just contributes to a one-dimensional representation of indigenous people, but there are so many different First Nations across Canada," she told CBC NewsFriday.

First Nations peoples "arevery distinct and have different cultures and languages, but we don't come across that way in popular culture and TV and movies, and that's what shapes society's views on indigenous people," said Deer.

'Alot of education to be done'

Several people attendinga downtown Montrealrally Friday promoting aboriginal issues in the federal electioncampaignalso expressed disappointment withthe photos.

"I think it's shameful, but I think it's ignorance," said demonstrator milie Joly. "There's no education in our schools teaching respect for First Nations and the history of our people too, I think the Alouettes should apologize."

Viviane Michel, the president of the Quebec Native Women's Association,agreed.

"There's still alot of education to go to teach the respect for our First Nations. We're frequently [shown]these Hallowe'en costumes, but do these people know we still exist and demand respect?" Michel asked.

"I think there's alot of education to be done."

When criticized on Instagram, the Alouette in the photo said he was sorry if anyone took offence.

Contacted by CBC News, Hebertreiterated that the photo was taken at a private party.

"We're not really talking about that so much," he said."There's an understanding.There's an apology, and now I'm focused on what's coming up in the future."

The head coach of the Alouettes', Jim Popp,did not specifically address the costume but said that such activities are monitored.

"On an everyday basis, individuals pick and choose what they do, and if it's something inappropriate, then we speak to them and talk to them."