Canadian junior championships begin Saturday in Corner Brook, N.L.

WASHINGTON -- Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday that the pro football teams nickname is "respectful" toward Native Americans. Air Max Scontate Outlet . On Thursday, half the U.S. Senate urged National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the Washington clubs name, saying it is a racist slur and it is time to replace it. The franchise responded by releasing Allens letter. "Our use of Redskins as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans," he wrote. The letter references research that "the term Redskins originated as a Native American expression of solidarity." It notes that the teams logo was designed by Native American leaders and cites surveys that Native Americans and Americans as a whole support the name. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups. Last month, Reid took to the Senate floor to say Snyder should "do what is morally right" and change the name. In a letter Thursday, 49 senators mentioned the National Basketball Associations quick action recently to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after he was heard on an audio recording making offensive comments about blacks. They said Goodell should formally push to rename the Redskins. "We urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports," read the letter, which did not use the word "Redskins." Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida wrote his own letter saying he doesnt believe that retaining the Redskin name "is appropriate in this day and age." In a written response Thursday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "the intent of the teams name has always been to present a strong, positive and respectful image." Reid and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state led the letter-writing effort. All senators on the letter are Democrats. Cantwell spokesman Jared Leopold said Republicans were not asked to participate. The senators noted that tribal organizations representing more than two million Native Americans across the U.S. have said they want the Redskins name dropped. Despite federal laws protecting their identity, "Every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C., football team mocks their culture," they wrote. "The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur." Scarpe Air Max 97 Scontate . Last years runner-up, Sara Errani, also reached the last eight in straight sets. Flipkens converted all four of her break points against Meusburger, and the third-seeded Errani broke Karin Knapps serve five times to win their all-Italian match 6-4, 6-3. Air Max Shop Online Italia .C. -- Only two Syracuse teams have won their first 20 games, and C. http://www.airmaxshoponlineitalia.it/scontate-max-97-outlet.html . His big 2-minute outburst in the fourth quarter Tuesday night is all that really mattered for the Dallas Mavericks.Northern Ontarios Tracy Horgan will make Canadian womens curling history next month.Kerry Galusha of the Northwest Territories and the Yukons Sarah Koltun will too. The three skips will be representing new team entries at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Sask.The addition of a Northern Ontario rink is a first for the annual womens national championship. It was one of several changes instituted by the Canadian Curling Association as part of a plan to allow equal event access to all of its member associations.In addition, there will no longer be just one team representing the Canadian territories at the Scotties.The Northwest Territories and the Yukon will now have separate entries. Nunavut could have entered a team as well but declined.The changes mean Horgan, from Sudbury, Ont., didnt have to win the Ontario playdowns in order to book her ticket for the nationals, like she did in her last Scotties appearance in 2012. The 28-year-old skip, a three-time Northern Ontario junior womens champion, beat Kendra Lilly last weekend to advance.Now this is kind of back to what were used to, Horgan said in a recent interview. Well be wearing the green and gold colours and were comfortable with that.For Galusha and Koltun, the changes mean they both get to go to Moose Jaw.The only rub for all three skips is they still have one last hurdle to clear. Theyll square off in a three-team round-robin qualifier at Mosaic Place with the winner to reach the 12-team main draw.The qualifying event begins Feb. 12 and the final play-in game will be held during Draw 1 of main draw competition two days later. The event continues through to the medal games on Feb. 22.The inclusion of a Northern Ontario rink brings the womens event in line with other national competitions. The Tim Hortons Brier — the mens national championship — is also mirroring a longtime Scotties tradition this year by including a Team Canada entry for the first time.The changes took root in 2010, when the CCA unveiled its Equitable Opportunity to Access Canadian Championships system. The goal was to create a system that would offer a fair, equal chance for curlers to access national events.Two years later, the CCAs 14 member associations approved the final implementaation phase, which resulted in the adjustments this season. Scarpe Paul George Scontate. For 2016, the team that finishes at the bottom of the overall standings at the 2015 Scotties will have to go through the qualification round with this years round-robin losers and Nunavut, if the territory decides to participate. We think the model is now fair, it is now sound, and it will be great to see some of the results on the ice where as I say, every single game is meaningful, said CCA chief executive officer Greg Stremlaw. Not just for those that want to win and go on to podium excellence and represent Canada worldwide, but for those that dont want to face qualification in years ahead.The non-traditional setup offers pros and cons for the three teams in the qualifier.They have the unusual pressure of needing to peak right from the start in order to get a spot in the main draw. The qualifier winner will also have the advantage of two extra days of competition on arena ice, although that could leave them more fatigued by the end of the week. I cant even tell you what Im expecting from it, Galusha said. Im just kind of rolling with it right now.For the round-robin losers, its a long trip to Moose Jaw for just a few games of action. Its also difficult for the teams to feel like theyre actually part of the Scotties until they advance to the main draw.If youre looking at the whole Scotties event, that itself is a marathon — but weve got to do the sprint first, Koltun said. Thats what we have to focus on right away, to try to do our best right off the bat.So its definitely a little bit different.Ottawas Rachel Homan is back to defend her title. Lauren Mann will skip the Quebec entry and Heather Strong will represent Newfoundland and Labrador.The other provincial representatives have yet to be finalized.Notes: The schedule for the 2015 Ford world mens curling championship has been released. Canada will open against either the U.S., or Brazil on March 28 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Medal games will be played April 5. The winner of the Brier, scheduled for Feb. 28-March 8 in Calgary, will be the Canadian representative. ... The Canadian junior championships begin Saturday in Corner Brook, N.L.———Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. ' ' '