"Chief a racial stereotype"

• chief Illiniwek perpetuates a racial stereotype;
• the mascot violates the (2003) Illinois Civil Rights Act banning discrimination based on race, color, or national origin;
• the chief violates the BOT's policies against discrimination.

The University responded by saying it will "thoroughly review the plaintiffs' suit," denied it was violating any discrimination laws or policies, and said a 1995 ruling by the U.S. Department of Education found that the chief did not violate the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act.

The attorney representing the plaintiffs said the Board "continues to circumvent" a decision on the fate of the chief. The suit states "The Chief Illiniwek sports mascot is a false and demeaning characterization of a Native American." The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to prohibit "the use of Chief Illiniwek as a sports mascot."

Sources: Chicago Tribune; Chicago Sun-Times; News-Gazette (Mar. 16).

NCAA turns up the heat

The NCAA has asked Illinois and other schools to carry out another "self-study" on the issue of Native American mascots. The study is to include feedback from students, community members, and local Indian tribes, according to the Grand Forks Herald (GFH).

The timetable is short; Illinois and 30 other schools have been told to report their findings to the NCAA by May 1st. Rick Stratton, NCAA vice president of education services, told the GFH that this survey is "a bit more specific" than the earlier one, a survey sent to schools in 2002. Based on the surveys, the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee will "forward its recommendations to a NCAA subcommittee .. and then to the executive committee for some kind of determination by midsummer."

"Robert Vowels, chairman of the [NCAA] Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, recently told a Fayetteville, N.C., newspaper that the NCAA generally considers the use of the mascots offensive."

Chicago Tribune: Chief "Topic of discord"

Although the highly successful Illinois basketball team has moved into postseason play, the chief will not, as Tribune reporter David Haugh notes, be accompanying them. Nonetheless, the chief issue is likely to draw more attention as "national exposure for a university and every aspect of its basketball program figures to heighten," writes Haugh.

Teters, recalling her days as a UIUC student, commented that the chief "made me and my other [Native American] friends who recruited with me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome."

BOT Meeting statements

Forum on the chief

Speaking was Dr. Joseph Gone (Gros Ventre), a UIUC graduate and Assistant Professor of Psychology and American Culture at the University of Michigan.

The event was open to the UIUC community & general public. Professor Gone has prepared an essay on the Chief; it is online in html and PDF form.

Local Native Americans
Bring Lawsuit

The News-Gazette (March 5) reported that the five plaintiffs include Robert Leonard, William Cook, Diana Walters, David Wegeng and Roger Fontana. Their suit alleges violation of their rights for equal protection under the Constitution.

BOT revisiting the chief

The guidelines, prepared by Board chairman Eppley and Trustee Carroll, include the following (from the News-Gazette):

Draft Guidelines/Framework -- Focus on why we have the Chief, not the Chief itself.

1. Seek consensus.
2. Preserve tradition and heritage in concert with the board's heritage resolution.
3. Retain the names "Illini" and "Fighting Illini."
4. Recognize the diversity of Illinois' American Indian culture, past and present.
5. Engage American Indian involvement in our efforts.
6. Reflect the University's core values of excellence, integrity and respect.

Opinion: While it is encouraging to see signs of progress many months after the announcement seeking a "consensus conclusion," it remains unsettling that:

• This significant announcement was not on the BOT agenda, and was, as noted by chief opponents, made after the public comment session;
• The News-Gazette (NG) reported that the BOT chairman "has no timeline for either the board adopting the guidelines or for resolving the issue."

Speaking on the subject of campus protests, President White was quoted (NG) as saying "I very much respect people's right to speak out on matters about which they feel strongly."

UI Student Election results

"The list of institutions which have dealt successfully with similar issues is long ... the list of those institutions still attempting to defer or avoid the obvious solution is very short." - NCA report

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.