Petition – Deborah Black, 10 October 2024
Devonport Warriors: It’s Time to Rebrand and Respect All Cultures
The Devonport Warriors, once part of Australia’s National Basketball League, have used a logo featuring a Native American chieftain in a headdress for over sixty years. Although no longer in the NBL, the team remains influential in the North West Tasmanian community, with over 1,000 current members and a new $60 million facility in development. In 2024, the Devonport Warriors Basketball Club’s logo and name continue to exploit minority cultures—a practice that has no place in modern Tasmania and does not reflect the progressive values our state upholds.
Situated on the traditional lands of the pirinilaplu people, the Devonport Warriors’ use of a Native American chieftain as their logo is a direct example of cultural appropriation. Historically, the practice of using Native American imagery in sports is rooted in the glorification of Indigenous iconography, while ignoring the atrocities committed against these communities. The name “Warriors” blatantly copies outdated U.S. team-naming practices that stem from a time when it was acceptable to belittle and exploit a culture that was actively massacred and oppressed.
In Tasmania, the Black War genocide of the palawa/pakana people and the forced removal of Indigenous children through the Stolen Generations—both intended to erase Indigenous cultural identities—mirror the injustices faced by Native American communities across North America. As Native American children were stolen from their families, acts sought to destroy cultures, their customary symbols, dress and ethnicity would go on to be appropriated for entertainment or branding.
Now more than ever, it is important that we honour our commitment to cultural diversity and integrity by rejecting these outdated practices and respecting the cultures that have been historically marginalised.
As the Warriors prepare to move into their new facility—a symbol of growth and investment in our local sporting community—this transition offers the perfect opportunity for the club to make a meaningful change, leaving behind outdated practices of cultural appropriation and redefining its identity.
In the United States, sports teams have embraced renaming and rebranding as part of their commitment to combat cultural appropriation. In 2020, the Washington Football Team dropped its previous name and logo following widespread criticism for being racially insensitive. Similarly, in 2021, Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians rebranded as the Cleveland Guardians, recognising the need to move away from offensive and outdated imagery. In 2024, the US state of Michigan completely removed Native American iconography and naming conventions from its sports teams.
It’s time for the Devonport Warriors to follow suit.
The logo and name of our club should represent respect for all cultures, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity and sportsmanship that basketball embodies. Taking this step toward change is not only about the club—it’s about representing a progressive, inclusive Tasmania. Devonport, the busiest freight port in Tasmania and home to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service, would be better represented by a name that reflects its maritime culture. Names such as the Devonport Spirit, Mariners, Navigators, or Titans would be far more fitting for Tasmania’s largest northern city.
The Devonport Warriors Basketball Club has more than just a game at stake. It carries the responsibility of reflecting Tasmania’s values: respect, diversity, and inclusion for all cultures.
Encourage the Devonport Warriors Basketball Club to reconsider their logo and name. Sign the petition today! It’s more than just a game—it’s about our community, our history, and our values.
Sign this petition here: https://www.change.org/p/devonport-warriors-it-s-time-to-rebrand-and-respect-all-cultures.
