Illinois Native American Bar Association
calls for Chief Retirement - 01/15/04

January 14, 2004

Dear Members of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees:

This letter is a statement of the position of the Illinois Native American Bar Association with respect to the use of Native American mascots in public schools and in particular the use of the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please know that our intention is not to represent any one particular group other than the Illinois Native American Bar Association.

The Illinois Native American Bar Association was founded by six Native attorneys in August of 2000, and currently has over thirty members throughout the state. Our mission is to enhance, refine, improve and further the welfare of the Native American community in all aspects of the legal system in Illinois. The association has been very active in the mascot issue at the public high school and university level and, has also testified before the Illinois General Assembly on other Native issues.

Our primary concern with the use [of] Native American mascots is that they bring dishonor to Native Americans by creating stereotypes that are not only completely inaccurate but undermine the dignity of Native people. We are dumbfounded that any educational body, whose principal purpose is to educate its populace, would not only allow such inaccuracies, but perpetuate them. The continuation of Native American stereotypes reinforces the misunderstandings of Native American histories, cultures, and beliefs.

By retaining the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot, the University of Illinois ignores the overwhelming of other educational schools and organizations from the use of Native American mascots. We could list hundreds of universities, colleges, and high schools that have eliminated the use of Native American mascots. Is is shocking that the Board of Trustees has conveniently overlooked this movement away from such use. Countless athletic, educational, political, civil rights, and non-Native ethnic organizations have called for the termination of the use of Native American mascots. Even various departments of the University of Illinois have expressed their desire that the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot be retired. It is shocking that the Board of Trustees has conveniently overlooked this viewpoint.

Not only does the use of the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot harm Native Americans, it harms all who are touched by it. It is very probable that this figure is the first image that many young children receive of Native Americans. Such images die hard. It is very probable that this is the image that some people continue to hold as the true image of a Native American. As a result, they find it hard to accept us as people of the same emotions, needs, and desires as them.

We understand that the use of the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot is a tradition. However, this does not make it right. The Board of Trustees should recognize the change in cultural sensitivies and do the right thing - get rid of the "Chief Illiniwek" mascot.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Edward Cook
President