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Mr. Campeau’s complaint also calls for the Human Rights Tribunal to “draft a policy on the use of indigenous identities and imagery in sports.”

Active since 1978, the amateur football club operates in the Ottawa suburb of Nepean and is open to children as young as five. The name itself dates back to 1981, when it was changed from the Barrhaven Buccaneers.

As of press time, representatives of the club did not return calls and emails from the National Post.

Last year, however, when contacted by the CBC on the issue, Ottawa city councillor Jan Harder rose to the club’s defence, saying “I don’t think anyone is getting hurt here.”

In an email reportedly sent directly to Mr. Campeau, Ms. Harder told him “you are looking for trouble where none exists.”

In a Tuesday statement, Mr. Campeau’s case was endorsed by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, who said it was time to “banish the term ‘redskins.’ ”

“Our preference always is to work together to reach respectful outcomes, and it is unfortunate that this step must be taken as a last resort,” said Mr. Atleo.

Mr. Campeau’s human rights complaint comes at the end of a two-year campaign of letter-writing, media appearances and, starting last year, a boycott of Redskin sponsors. “I have yet to hear from anybody from the organization,” he said.

While indigenous-themed team names such as “warriors,” “chiefs,” “braves,” and “fighting Indians” remain common among North American sports teams, the custom has been in general retreat since the 1990s.