WHEREAS, at its June 17, 2004 meeting, the Board of Trustees resolved to reach a consensus conclusion to the issue of Chief Illiniwek. In respect of that resolution and in recognition of the heritage of the State of Illinois and the culture and traditions of the American Indians, it is the board's belief that the University should pursue a solution that recognizes the heritage of the State and the culture and traditions of the American Indians; and

WHEREAS, many opinions expressed on the issue share a mutual concern for finding ways to preserve and celebrate the State's heritage and American Indian culture and traditions; and

WHEREAS, an essential step toward reaching a consensus conclusion to the issue of the Chief is the establishment of a board policy that affirms that the core of the issue concerns the preservation and celebration of the State's heritage and American Indian culture and traditions; and

WHEREAS, the University's Urbana-Champaign campus, the State of Illinois great land-grant university, has long drawn on and paid tribute to the culture and traditions of the native people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, the State's name is a French transliteration of Illiniwek, a confederation of American Indian tribes that thrived throughout the State and the region; and

WHEREAS, the term Illini, taken from the State's name, has been used in referring to students, alumni, the campus student newspaper since 1874, and later to its athletic teams; and

WHEREAS, the campus possesses rich collections of research materials and art works related to American Indian culture and traditions that attract scholars and students at all levels; and

WHEREAS, these resources provide the basis for education and appreciation of our State's heritage and American Indian culture and traditions; and

WHEREAS, the preservation of the State's heritage and American Indian culture and traditions is a fitting goal for the Urbana-Champaign campus; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has resolved to reach a resolution on the issue of the Chief through consensus; and

WHEREAS, a solution must best serve the University rather than particular interest groups;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in implementing a consensus solution, it shall be the policy of the University and the Urbana-Champaign campus that the State's heritage and its American Indian culture and traditions shall be preserved, affirmed, and publicly celebrated.

At their Sept. 9 meeting, the UI Board of Trustees approved a resolution regarding the "State's American Indian Heritage." Their full statement appears in the left column.

RetireTheChief recognizes the long history of Native people in the State of Illinois, and the importance of the culture and traditions of American Indians who lived here in the past as well as those who call Illinois their home today. However, respectfully articulating and preserving these traditions and culture is best done by, and should remain the sole responsibility of, Native Americans.

The State and the University of Illinois can best honor American Indian culture by expanding resources devoted to the Native American House and to Native American programs at the University, preserving and expanding the Gallery of American Indian Cultures collection at the Spurlock Museum on the Urbana campus, and through collaborating with respected institutions such as the Field Museum in Chicago, which has worked closely, and successfully, with the American Indian Center there.

In matters of American Indian culture and tradition, there remains a distinct disconnection between the views and intentions of the University, and those of Native people themselves. A policy to publicly recognize American Indian heritage in Illinois risks further alienating the very people whose culture and traditions are being discussed. Given the importance and visibility of the University, such policies could impose the views of Indians by non-Indians. Who better than Native people themselves to tell non-Natives of their traditions?

Native traditions are unfortunately not honored by the symbol of Chief Illiniwek, who has been and remains a divisive figure for the campus and community and who has received nearly universal criticism from Native Americans and national civil rights organizations. The University and the State can honor the true history, culture and traditions of American Indians in and outside of the State of Illinois by retiring this symbol without further delay. After retirement, productive discussions of Native American heritage in Illinois and elsewhere become possible. With the chief in place, such dialogue seems at best inconsistent, and at worst disingenuous.

Interpretation and reaction

BOT chairman Lawrence Eppley told the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette (NG) that "the resolution isn't about the Chief, per se." Trustee Marjorie Sodemann said that "publicly celebrate" could mean an honorable retirement of the Chief or retaining the symbol and halftime dance. UI spokesman Tom Hardy: "If board members were to vote in support ... that sets the floor for determining how, when and where those kind of celebrations take place ... we're going to have some kind of recognition of American Indian heritage in this state." (Source: N-G, Sept. 4).

It appears to RetireTheChief that this resolution is very much about chief Illiniwek, given the references to the Chief and to the BOT "consensus" policy. And it is clear that many believe the State, and the University, should not be "celebrating" Native American culture.

"We don't want our ethnicity highlighted in any way because it's racist," said U.I. senior Genevieve Tenoso, who is a Native American student and vice president of Red Roots on the UIUC campus. She believes the policy is intended to "legitimize the Chief." (quoted in State Journal-Register) For its part, the PRC considers the new policy a stalling tactic, and says "the Chief continues to divide our campus and promote miseducation about Native cultures."

Chicago attorney questioned after booing the chief

The (Peoria) Journal Star reported Sept. 8 that a Chicago civil rights attorney, David Askew, was escorted from his seat in Memorial Stadium by Champaign County Sheriff's deputies after loudly booing the Chief during the halftime show Saturday 9/4. Askew and an offended Illinois fan were brought beneath the stands, where their statments were taken before being allowed to return and watch the game.

The Journal Star reporter questioned "whether spectators who cheer Illiniwek or chant pro-Chief slogans would be similarly treated." As for Askew, he stated the chief "is shameful, and it does not represent the people of Illinois ... the Chief is a stereotypical denigration of the Native American race."