chief

There are a lot more important things to worry about in this world than this. You are one issue morons and it dosn’t amount to a hill of beans.

b anderson, at 9:50 pm EDT on September 4, 2007

No Doubt About It Any More...

The group that is protesting Anti-Chief activities, ““If They Get Rid of the Chief I’m Becoming a Racist”, has apprently missed the point. You have already crossed that line folks, and I dare say it probably wasn’t a recent event.

I am personally opposed to the Chief, but I can respect the feelings of those who genuinely have a regard for him. Unfortunately, there are folks on both sides of the argument who have no respect for any opinion that differs with their own (Hmmm — now where have we seen THAT before) and who appear to be willing to take their beliefs beyond a point that can be considered as anything but hatred and irrationality. The Facebook group and its title provide just one example of that.

I hope that the Chief will be honorably retired soon, and that we can move on to other issues more central to the core of the University.

A Saddened Illinois Alum, at 10:56 am EST on January 10, 2007

The incident just proved that Native American Mascots, logos and nicknames are NOT to HONOR Native American people. but to bastarized the people in the name of sports. Another form of racism in modern times that brings us back to blackface minstrel show.

sage, at 12:55 pm EST on January 10, 2007

PC

For all those who complain about political correctness: Why is it so terrible to be sensitive to what is hurtful to others and to try to avoid it? Why would you want to hurt someone purposefully? If being respectful of others is polictally correct, you can count me in. To threaten others phyisically over something as inconsequential as a school mascot is terribly sick.

Les, at 4:05 pm EST on January 10, 2007

Well said

Thank you, Eric, for your words in support of doing away with this mascot. Very well said.

Erin Peltzman, Staff Member at UC Davis, at 4:05 pm EST on January 10, 2007

“Why is it so terrible to be sensitive to what is hurtful to others and to try to avoid it?”

No matter what you say, there’s someone out there prepared to be outraged by it. Outrage is now a perpetual machine that has the very specific political purpose of controlling thought and language. It is something that true intellectuals battle, not embrace.

JBM, at 6:05 pm EST on January 10, 2007

Ugly turn in mascot debate

This is one of the very reasons the use of Indians as mascots is a bad practice. It teaches racism as being institutionally acceptable. The threatening boys are but an example of what happens when you marginalize a race of people for team spirit. Indians become things. Everyone knows they shouldn’t speak nor have opinons. The don’t feelings and can’t speak for themselves. And since they won’t shut up while we’re honoring them, they must be silenced. Please do away with this harmful mascot.

Louis Gray, President of the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism at TICAR, at 4:35 am EST on January 11, 2007

Constitution does not guarantee the right to not be offended

The Constitution guarantees the right of free speech. It does not guarantee the right to not be offended. If I made a quarrel every time I was “offended” I could not leave my house.

Yes Chief Illiniwek may harbor some stereotypes but that does not mean he has to be eliminated.

Travel a little. I live outside USA. Everyone around the globe has stereotypes. Should I be offended that I get stereotyped because I am an American? I don’t! Get over this Chief issue. Keep him. Too bad for all of us the NCAA does not have a backbone.

ME, at 5:55 am EST on January 11, 2007

I have faced this racism all my life. I was not allowed in some schools because I was Indian. To this day we are not allowed some of our ceremonies. I remember the fights in the 70’s in regards to the Black icons. ie:minstral shows, Amos & Andy, Buleha, Little black sambo. those were all hateful & hurt many people. The Latin Americans also had their day. Please do not take my words wrong as I am using this as an example. Young people seem to forget our past & will make the same mistakes as their elders & ancestors. One man says that he is becoming a racest due to this chief mascot. Think what you would feel like if the shoe was on the other foot. What if it were your race that was being satiered. I don’t believe you would like it at all & when you try to say how hurtful it is you are sit on& cursed at. I was on the Sacred Run in 1996 when a young lady came to us on this subject & spoke to us about how big men spit on her & called her names as she was protesting alone. All she asked was to be heard. I am an old man. I know what racism is about it hurts to see loved ones die because they were Indian thought even to this day to be low on the food chain. We have a coalition here that is uniting people. We must come to an understanding that we are all the same inside. We have different paths in life. You who say you want to harm another human need to look deep inside yourselves for the common threads of humanity. I am a Vietnam vet with 5 tours of duty there. & in Vietnam we were one. We didn’t see race when the action was afoot. you young ones have the opportunity to make up for a lot of the wrongs that were done in the past & are being done to this day. doesn’t take much to learn to love rather than hate. Don’t teach racism to your little ones. Abuse of any kind is being on a bad path. Wolf Crow/ Navajo

Robert WolfCloud, Elder/Founder at Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities., at 4:35 am EST on January 12, 2007

Lovely isn’t it. Mostly arrogant and stubborn kids who don’t know anything about history and want to keep the Chief for their own selfish ideals of loyalty to the mascot and so on. The kids at this school have done lots of racist things throughout the years. Hopefully they won’t just get a slap on the wrist this time!!!

Leparis Watts, Goodness Gracious, at 7:25 pm EST on January 12, 2007

HONORARY SYMBOL

“Chief Illiniwek, the mascot at the University of Illinois, has been controversial for many years and it seems like his days spent rallying sports fans may be numbered.”

I understand the issues that surround this controversy are heated, but I would at least like the statements in this article to be factual. Chief Illiniwek is not a MASCOT he is an Honorary Symbol. Also the Chief does not rally sports fans. For three years I was a member of the Block I student cheering section for the Illini football games and not once was the Chief on the sidelines. The Chief only performs at half-time. As a member of the organization that ran Block I, I was on the field during games and lead several charges to capture other team’s mascots. We would run to the other side of the field, grab the mascot and goalpost them. This is part of the rivarly with mascots. It is part of the entertainment. Chief Illiniwek is not a participant in the MASCOT rivalry. In fact during basketball and volleyball games. The students surrond the court so that no one can get to the Chief. Those of us on those student organizations view the Chief as a symbol of pride and treat him with the utmost respect and honor.

I know that there is anger on both sides of this issue and I am ashamed by the awful comments made on Facebook. I hope that the emotion that this controversy ignites can be viewed logically and factually. I feel that a great deal of the reporting on this controversy ignores the facts and chooses to continue to fan the emotional flames.

I support the Chief because I view him with honor. He is a symbol of my time at UIUC. I learned much about Native American culture because of my interest in the Chief.

It is such a sadness that the Illini tribe was iradicated. If they were still in exsistance would there be such a controversy? I look at the exemption that Florida recieved because that tribe still exsists and supports the university. I wonder if the Chief is removed who will remember the tribe. Why can’t this issue be turned into something that is educational rather than emotional.

Heather, at 11:51 am EST on January 17, 2007

The consequences of Institutional Racism

As a Native student at another University, I feel both fear and outrage for the Native students at UIUC. They are attending a University who unapologetically has accepted and incorporated a racist symbol into their programs, and so effectively indoctrined their student body to defend at all costs this symbol, and it is not surprising that threats of violence aimed at those who would challenge racism at the institution will result. No Native person, student or non-student, that I have ever spoken to could construe the “chief” to be anything other than offensive and racist. And the Univserity’s unwillingness to change, and in fact determined efforts (included court cases) lead me to believe that the university has been, is, and will continue to be a hostile enviroment for Native students. It is saddening that in the 21st century a young person will have to endure threats and the ptoential of violence because of their race in order to obtain higher education.

David Armstrong, President of NATIONS at NIU, at 5:01 pm EST on January 17, 2007

Are people afraid to learn the truth?

casinos only make up 1% of the native american population. They get recognition because they are money makers to give back to the reservations for employment, scholorships and help to rebuild native lands. why do so many people not understand that the illiniwek confederation do exist and they are the peoria tribe of oklahoma. They have asked the university on many occasions to not use their culture as a mascot. Native americans protest the chiefs, redskins(big lawsuit going on right now) and the braves. Before one writes about what native americans do and not do they should look at web-sites or read books that talk about this very subject. The education process stops as soon as people see native americans in regalia. It is only worn for ceremonial dance and for people to see ceremonies at pow-wows. Only native americans are allowed on the sacred circle..unless they invite people to dance to feel the spirituality. Go to the native american house web-site at the university of illinois and see how they feel about the mascot. Why do not people understand that there are only 4,000,000 native americans in the usa..there are not enough voices to hear their cry. We are not native americans so we have no idea what it is like to be perceived as a brave, chief by everybody that crosses there path. We should wise up and help them in their plight of getting rid of mascots and symbols. Once again read the book “dancing at half-time” by carol spindel if you want the true story on why chief illiniwek is considered harmful. Take the time out to learn.

cathy, at 5:41 pm EST on January 17, 2007

Why is that white folks (and yes, I am white if you were wondering) have a constant need to tell people in historically marginalized communities what is and is not acceptable?

Calling Chief Illiniwek a symbol instead of a mascot is just a way to attempt to semantically alter the conversation. Discontinuing the Chief would not be a “politically correct” gesture. It would be a socially just measure.

How is it honorable to have a “symbol” that is portrayed by a white person wearing native regalia? The Oglala Sioux have asked for the return of the regalia. Hopefully the university will comply by returning the regalia and ending the tenure of Chief Illiniwek.

The history of the state of Illinois rests on the backs of the native peoples who used to inhabit the region. Chief Illiniwek continues the abuse of native peoples by a mostly white dominant paradigm.

Eric Stoller, at 1:50 pm EST on January 19, 2007

I find that hard to believe that Grandfather Fools Crow would sell his regalia. I know of no native American that would shame himself & his people by selling regalia. I don’t know where you get that information from. Selling regalia is wrong. people seem to think that everything can be bought. Not so. He may have gifted it but never SOLD. You see it as a big fault in my people that they give & not take. you have to justify this sports icon with the words purchased? The Lakota, Souix people have a right to take back a gifting that is used in a dis honorable way. Wolf.

Wolf, Elder/Founder at Native American Coalition of the Quad cities, at 5:05 pm EST on January 19, 2007

Just the facts mma’am

To chief fan..there were never any illini indians. There was an illiniwek confederation made up of several tribes including the peoria tribe whom resides in oklahoma. I find it very funny that people say that by getting rid of the chief no one will know or remember the history of “the illini". It seems like to me that the chief keeps people uninformed and continually perpetuating false facts. If one wants to know the truth, then read, educate and get the true facts. Just some thoughts.

cathy garner, at 9:35 pm EST on January 19, 2007

thank you american indian teen

So many people are uninformed about the native american culture. I do know that the history is passed along through stories. My family is of ottawa descent, but I grew up in the dominate culture. I know that to learns ones culture is to take classes and educate myself by asking a lot of questions. I hope that one day that people learn the truth. I will continue to write and use my voice in any way I can. Thank you informing us on your true and very eloquent thoughts. I know that by keeping the chief the truth will never be told. The chief will keep perpetuating false facts. I will do my best to stand in the truth. I have seen the true dance of the native american culture, and the chief is a mockery of something that is very spiritual. Stand in your truth, and many of us will follow.

cathy garner, at 12:05 pm EST on January 20, 2007

This debate is very disturbing to me. I am a mixed blood of white and Cheyenne descent so I listen very carefully to what both ethnic groups have to say. Both Native Americans and non Native Americans have their points; however, I do not understand why it is so difficult to stop the Indian mascot problem. If the issue is offensive to the Native American, then why proceed is arguing over the matter? From what I read and hear the Native American is the one who is offended, while the non Native American is confused as to why this is such a big deal. There is freedom of speech, but not if it violates another persons will or rights. There was an issue involving Stanford when they were called the Indians, however, the issue was resolved in 1972 by Stanford changing their school name to the Cardinals. The name “Indians” obviously offended the Native American Students attending Stanford and so the name was changed. I strongly feel that if something greatly offends a person, or a group of Native Americans, as we are seeing with the mascot issue, then what harm is it going to do to drop the mascot or end a school tradition? I believe that non Native Americans should be educated about Native people so they can gain a better understanding of the Native American culture, however, seeing a white person dressed up in Native American attire dancing around is not educating anyone. This seems to be yet another barricade for the human race to endure before we live in peace. I hope the matter is soon resolved and done so peacefully.

Steve Kammerzell, at 3:25 pm EST on January 28, 2007

The following quote is cut and pasted from the website, www.500nations.com:

“Illinois got its name from a confederation of tribes known as the Illini. They originally inhabited areas in the present day State of Illinois, on both sides of the Mississippi and south to the Arkansas River. The name Illinois is the Fench version of the name that these people gave to themselves, Illiniwek, which means ‘men’ or ‘people.’

At the time of the arrival of the white man around 1600 there were as many as sixty Illini villages. The numbers of Illini reported by the French in the mid 1650’s varied considerably from 2,000 to as many as 20,000 due to constant migrating by many bands. Scholars estimate about 12,000.

The tribe population declined due to the Beaver Wars and epidemics introduced by the Europeans. By 1768 there were only about 1,800 Illini. When this band was attacked by tribal enemies that number was further reduced to 600. By 1854, there were just 84 left. At this time they united with the Wea and Piankashaw and became the United Peoria Tribe.

Today the remant of the Ilini can be found among the Peoria Nation of about 2,000 people living on their Oklahoma reservation.”

From this information, it appears as though both sides of the Chief debate have some correct information. The fact that in 1854 the remaining 84 Illini tribe members merged with the Peoria tribe and today there are only 2000 members of the Peoria Nation remaining, one could easily make the assumption that the Illini tribe is in all truthfulness, extinct. That being said, my opinion is that the Peoria tribe (not even located in Illinois) should keep their two-cents worth out of the equation. If they, and other Native Americans are so opposed to Native American history being honored, then they should ask for the City of Peoria to change it’s name as well as the entire State of Illinois, the Dakotas, Utah, etc. These cities and states are named such in honor of the Native Americans that inhabited the land.

I agree to some extent with Aileen in that “white folks” are the ones facing today’s prejudices. Whether it is that we can no longer celebrate Christmas publicly, or have to hire so many people of a particular race regardless of their qualifications, or retire a symbol of our state’s history, we are constantly having to give things up under the disquise of political correctness. The United States of America was founded by white, Christian folks who came to the new land in search of freedom. Unfortunately, our freedom did come at the expense of Native Americans, but that was how many years ago? And, look at how Native Americans today have benefitted from the modern conveniences that are afford to all Americans. I do not agree that “white folks” are prejudiced against Native Americans, and in my years at U of I, I can honestly say I never heard or observed anti-Native American statements.

Native Americans are a minority in the United States of America, but they are not forgotten thanks to the cities, states, schools and sports teams that have taken on their names. If Native Americans would rather us not remember their contributions to our Pilgrim forefathers, then I say let us not stop at the removal of Chief Illiniwek from the University of Illinois, let’s remove all names and remembrances! I vote that the state of Illinois change it’s name to Pioneer. Then U of I can become the University of Pioneers and we can have truly “white folk” symbols and then not have to worry about being prejudiced. But then again, we’d then be accused of being prejudiced because we are promoting ourselves and our history.

No matter what we do, “white folks” will always be the “bad guys” until we stand up and not allow our rights to be suppressed under the name of Political Correctness!!

Long Live Chief Illiniwek and Go You Fighting Pioneers!!!

Heather D., Proud Alumna at University of Illinois, at 3:50 pm EST on February 21, 2007

It’s all about the $$

Cathy, How much money are you getting for promoting that book?? An author’s writings are just that, THEIR writings!! Just because this particular author has one set of beliefs and feelings, does not mean that one couldn’t find another person to write or that has written the opposing views.

As far as naming cities and states go, from reading these responses, it is appearant that the Native Americans responding not only oppose Chief, but also the Fighting Illini name which we know is derived from Illinois which may be French as you say but we all know was given to the state as an honor to the Native Americans that once lived on this land. Yes, the white man took over this land 200+ years ago and if you and others feel the need to hold this centuries old grudge for that, be my guest, however, then I truly hope you do not benefit from all that the white man brought to this country in return, as that would be a bit two-faced! Yes, I truly believe you want your cake and to eat it too! Let us not forget however, that the reason the Illini are no longer around was because of battles with other tribes, not the white man!

You want us to honor your past but in only the way you see fit! Chief is by no means meant to be hurtful in any way, you and your people have twisted it to be that way by saying things like a non-native shouldn’t be doing one of your spiritual dances in one breath and then in the next saying the dance isn’t even a true Indian dance. You will say anything to get the job done and unfortunately our spineless board fell for it!! What it truly comes down to is money. Just as the Seminoles in Florida, if U of I had offered enough money for the “right” to keep Chief, he’d still be dancing. Problem is, who would we pay as the Illini no longer exist! My hope is that others will see your blackmail for all that it is, and no longer contribute to groups, charities, etc. that give to Native Americans! I also hope we wipe out all names/honors to your past so that you no longer have to feel offended but rather can go on with your lives the way you were before the white man came along and gave you money, especially since your life now is so much worse!!

As others have said, the only prejudice on this site is the one Native Americans hold against the white man and I say enough is enough!! And, I won’t buy your friends book and give more money to you & your cause!!

Heather D., at 11:10 am EST on February 23, 2007

One thing which I do not understand is that if Native Americans feel so threatened and offended at the University of Illinois and if they view the Chief and all those in support as racist, then why do they continue to support the University? Why do they pay to attend and, in essence, support a so-called “racist” institution? Perhaps if you feel so strongly about the University being a racist institution, you should stop buying into it. I find it difficult to castrate an insitution that you willingly applied to and currently attend.

anonymous, at 12:50 pm EDT on April 4, 2007