Andrew, Mar. 24, 2005

(Opinion: pro-Chief)

I am a student at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, and I have recently taken interest in the controversy about Chief Illiniwek. I have listened open mindedly to arguments from both sides, and over time have realized that everyone is surrounded with an awful lot of misunderstanding. I believe the majority of students who oppose Chief Illiniwek do so for valiant reasons based on high morals; however, I also believe that if they knew more about the history and concept of Chief Illiniwek, they would understand that there is no need to oppose him at all. Please read open mindedly as I give an account of what I have learned about the history and concept of Chief Illiniwek.

In 1926, Pennsylvania State University contacted The University of Illinois with a proposition. Penn State wanted to have a student dress as William Penn, the Quaker who founded Pennsylvania, to represent the team's school at an upcoming football game. Penn State requested that Illinois provide a similar person. Illinois' football coach and band director worked together to decide that Chief Illiniwek would represent The University of Illinois. Since then, Chief Illiniwek has continued to represent the University of Illinois at athletic events.

Illinois chose Chief Illiniwek for two main reasons: the Illini Indian's personal characteristics and community characteristics. The football coach admired American Indians for their strength, intelligence, and spirituality. He wanted all of his players to emulate the American Indians in these three ways. He wanted his athletes to work toward a superior physical condition, just like the American Indians. He wanted his athletes to develop their minds both in academics and in athletic strategy, just as the American Indians thoroughly developed their minds. He also wanted his athletes to root their lives in spirituality, the most solid of all foundations, just as the American Indians did. The football coach admired the American Indians for their incredible personal development. He had so much respect for the American Indians that he wanted every student at The University of Illinois, especially his own athletes, to model themselves after the American Indians. Chief Illiniwek was born as a role model to all students at Illinois out of tremendous admiration and respect for the American Indians.

Illinois also chose Chief Illiniwek for his position of leadership over the Illiniwek Confederation. The Illiniwek Confederation consisted of several different tribes. These tribes all came from different places and different cultures. These unique tribes came together for the common objective of protection. These diverse people overcame their differences and united for a common purpose. Similarly, students at The University of Illinois come from all sorts of backgrounds. They come from different geographic locations all over the world. They come from different social and economic backgrounds. They come from different family situations. They come from different cultures. Thousands of students from a diverse array of all imaginable backgrounds come together at The University of Illinois for the common purpose of gaining an education. The way the people of The Illiniwek Confederation came together is a perfect analogy to how students of The University of Illinois come together. As the leader of the Illiniwek Confederation, Chief Illiniwek is the perfect person to lead The University of Illinois. Illinois chose Chief Illiniwek to represent the school out of respect and admiration for how he led the Illiniwek Confederation.

I believe that many students and American Indians oppose Chief Illiniwek because they do not know the story behind how he was selected and do not know the concept of what he represents. Chief Illiniwek is a tribute to the American Indians, chosen out of high regard for their way of life. Every time I look on as Chief Illiniwek emerges at athletic events I feel myself fill up with adoration for American Indians and a need to strive for what Chief Illiniwek represents: great physical condition, hard earned intelligence, deep spirituality, and cooperative spirit. I think most of the controversy about Chief Illiniwek comes from unawareness of what Chief Illiniwek represents. I think a milestone solution to this problem would be to educate people about what he represents. I suggest that the announcer state a brief history and concept of Chief Illiniwek right before he comes out at all athletic events. For example, he could state in fifteen seconds something to this effect:

"Illinois chose Chief Illiniwek to represent our school in 1926 out of respect and admiration for the American Indians. The football coach admired the American Indians for their superior strength, intelligence, and spirituality. Illinois also admired the way the people of several diverse tribes united for the common purpose of protection under Chief Illiniwek, just as a diverse array of students unite at Illinois for the common purpose of education."

I believe a simple announcement like this will quickly remind the public that Chief Illiniwek honors the American Indians. Although there may still be other problems with the way The University of Illinois implements Chief Illiniwek, the underlying concept and foundation of Chief Illiniwek is a source of pride and honor for American Indians. I believe it is important to resolve these other problems, but I think it would be a great loss for American Indians if Chief Illiniwek is eliminated entirely. If there are inaccuracies in the way Chief Illiniwek portrays American Indians, I believe everyone should take advantage of his existence to work with the school, correct the problems, and show the public an accurate portrayal of American Indians. This is a perfect opportunity to correct and eliminate current stereotypes. Eliminating Chief Illiniwek will only allow the stereotypes to live on forever as they exist today. I support efforts to resolve issues between the American Indians and The University of Illinois' representation of Chief Illiniwek, but please keep in mind that adjusting Chief Illiniwek will perpetuate and improve the honor and pride that he brings the American Indians. Eliminating him will remove a grand tribute to American Indians throughout the nation.

I hope all goes well in adjusting and correcting Chief Illiniwek; please do not make an effort to eliminate him.

Sincerely,

Andrew

Andrew, via the web.