Opinion

The UIUC Board of Trustees (BOT) will be meeting in Chicago on Thursday, June 17. A vote for the retirement of Chief Illiniwek is on the BOT agenda.

This is an important time and an opportunity for the Board of Trustees, and for the University of Illinois. While the Chief has a long history at our University, he has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism from inside our community as well as from around the country.

We hope that the Board of Trustees seizes this moment and does what -

• is consistent with the diversity goals of the University;
• respects the wishes of Native Americans in C-U and elsewhere;
• is best for the image and reputation of a great University

Tuesday, June 15: Protest
in Champaign-Urbana

A new multicultural organization known as I-Resist is sponsoring an anti-Chief protest in Champaign-Urbana. The protest, to be held on Green and 6^th streets in Campus Town, is directed against businesses that prominently display, "and profit from" the sale of the Chief emblem.

The I-Resist statement continues: "We are asking all Champaign-Urbana community members to boycott businesses that are profiting from the perpetuation of negative stereotypes. The use of Chief Illiniwek as a school mascot continues to polarize the campus community and sends a message of disrespect and domination over American Indians."

The Campus Town protest will be held from noon - 1:30 p.m. at Green and 6th, followed by a vigil on the University Quad at 6:00 p.m.

Protests are planned the next day in Chicago ahead of the BOT meeting (see right column).

Wed., June 16: Anti-Chief
Protest in Chicago

On Wednesday, June 16 - the day before the Board of Trustees vote - an anti-Chief protest will be held in Chicago. The protest is being organized by the Native American Educational Services (NAES) College in Chicago.

The protest will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Truman College in Chicago (1145 West Wilson Avenue; 773-907-4700; see map below).

• Vernon Bellecourt
• Frank Sage (fought against Univ. North Dakota mascot);
• Siobhan - president of Red Roots native student organization at UIUC;
• Karen Bond (National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and the Media)

The protest will continue until 6:30 p.m., at which time a march will begin, arriving at the American Indian Center in Chicago (1630 W. Wilson Ave.; 773-275-5871) around 7:15 p.m., where the Board of Trustees will be having dinner (the protest is against the Chief, not AIC).

The next day, Thursday June 17, the Board will take up the resolution to retire the Chief. A rally will be held outside prior to the meeting. The time and location will be announced later; see this page for more information.

Remember?      March 15, 2004      Native Americans protest at the University of Illinois

Ten Reasons to Retire The Chief

1. Diversity. We do want a diverse, inclusive atmosphere welcoming of all cultures. 2. Stereotypes. The Chief perpetuates harmful, insulting stereotypes of Native people in a big way. 3. Publicity. The presence of the Chief has brought national disapproval to an outstanding University. 4. Racism. It was not the intention, and no one likes the "R" word, but Native Americans are very upset by the presence of Chief Illiniwek. 5. Children. Powerful stereotypes are particularly harmful to children - their self esteem and school performance.

6. Accuracy. Let's be honest - the Chief isn't the real thing. The dance is part of half-time entertainment. 7. Honor. Native Americans are not honored. Quite the contrary, they have made it clear they are offended by the Chief. 8. NCAA. In case you missed it, the NCAA has made it clear they are unhappy with American Indian mascots. 9. Choices. Potential faculty and students have chosen not to teach or attend the University because of the Chief. 10. Image. Call the Chief a symbol or a mascot - he is a public figure that harms the University's image.