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.

The Chief is wrong in the same way that any racist stereotype is, namely it serves to marginalize, trivialize and disrespect those it portends to represent, regardless of the claimed intent.

The argument has been made today that without the Chief, University of Illinois students would not be able to know anything about Native American and specifically Illini culture. But how can I learn about the true Native history from a fictitious and mythological character?

Why is it that in my five years on this campus that I haven't taken a class in the department of Native American studies? Possibly because there is no such department. Why isn't there a Native American culture house, why aren't there Native American faculty, why there are so few students? The Chief has created such a hostile campus climate that Native students don't want to come here. It's tragic that the University has chosen racist and demeaning half-time entertainment to educate its students on the history of Native American. The Chief is a gross misrepresentation that negatively affects all people.

In light of what Native Americans and community members have said today and have been saying over the years, I request that the Board reconsider statements that they have made in the past such as, a quote from Gerald W. Shae, quoted in the News-Gazette, March 5, 1999, "I just think it's a good thing. I have not seen any Native American groups raising any big outcry." Susan Gravenhorst in 1997, "I still feel that if I were a Native American person, I would be complimented. We have taken a particular person from a particular group and edified him and everyone thinks so highly of him. And I think that this would be a source of pleasure to you."

These statements not only show the Board's complete disregard for the real impact of the issue, but also violate the University's own policies. Here I quote from page 1 of the Code on Campus Affairs.

"The University of Illinois claims commitment to foster programs within the law which will ameliorate or eliminate, where possible, the effects of historic societal discrimination; to comply fully in all University activities and programs with applicable federal and state laws relating to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity."

It is clear from the testimony of Native Americans and community members today that the Chief is both a historic and continuing societal discrimination and honors no one. It's obvious that the Board has ignored their commitment to the University and the community for the last 74 years. The fact that the Chief still exists is an insult to what the University claims to stand for. Thank you.

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