The following transcript is from the 4/14/00 Chief Illiniwek dialogue "intake session". It is an unedited excerpt from the original U.I. document.

And the only reason I did not even apply to this University is because of the Chief Illiniwek mascot. I did not even consider UIUC as an option. The Chief Illiniwek mascot puts up an unwelcome sign to me. Excuse me. The only way I knew I could succeed at this school is if I hid my Native American identity and that is out of the question. I am proud of the fact that I am a traditional dancer, I know where my grandparents came from, I am proud of that.

I have tried to not be offended or hurt by the mockery the Chief Illiniwek mascot makes of my culture and of all Indian nations, but it is impossible. I have tried to not be offended by people who mock my culture in the same exact fashion that the Chief Illiniwek dances. I have tried to not get hurt by the lack of respect that Native American communities get because of Chief Illiniwek.

Chief Illiniwek mascot degrades, excuse me, I'm sorry, Native Americans as human beings. Chief Illiniwek mascot perpetuates ignorance of my Native American culture. The Chief Illiniwek mascot breeds low self-esteem in Native American youth. I do not understand why Native American -- why Native Americans are supposed to be honored by some guy dancing at a half-time show. If you can call that dancing.

Who exactly is supposed to be honored by a white guy wearing Lakota clothing and labeled as the Chief of the Illini? Honoring a person, a tribe or a whole race of people means respecting them as human beings and respecting their beliefs. People who are advocates of saving the Chief are not respecting the hurt emotions of Native Americans. Respect is not given to Native Americans by the misrepresentation of the Illini tribe. The half-time dance shows only disrespect for Native American culture.

To those who say Native Americans should feel honored and respected by the Chief Illiniwek mascot, I say to them, tell my heart to not cry when the Chief Illiniwek mascot mocks my people's culture. Tell my heart to not break when the Chief Illiniwek mascot promotes ignorance of my people's culture.

Native Americans most can hold their tears, but the University of Illinois Illiniwek still hurts right here.

MODERATOR GARIPPO: Next speaker.

See the U.I. Dialogue on Chief Illiniwek page for more transcripts and information.