"John Brinkmann," 2/24/2007

(Chief opinion: VeryFor)

I'm very proud to be a 50 year old life long resident of Illinois and equally proud our state is named after The Illiniwek or group of six Native American tribes being the Kaskaskia, the Cahokia, the Peoria, the Tamaroa, Moingwena and the Michigamea..All across Illinois one can find fascinating history about Native Americans and their ways of life---I believe the Universtiy of Illinois has proven through the decades that the creation of Chief Illiniwek and it's performance with their marching band is a sincere testimonial to the great heritage of the Illini Tribes and helps keep the Tribe's rich cultural aspect alive for all to learn from...All citizens of America have suffered from some form or another of racial bigotry but clearly no people have suffered more than those who are the native people of this land...It is for this reason we all must take notice of those who are offended by the use of "The Chief:" as a member of the University's marching band...However, as horrible it is to try and conceive the mass murder of so many Native Americans in our nation's history, we must still abide by the majority rules and not be led astray by what might be a minority of those deciding what is right and wrong for preserving Native American history...If it can be proven to me for fact that a majority of descendants of the Illini Tribes oppose the presence of "The Chief", then by all means, it's removal has been the right call---I sincerely ask though, can such a claim be made?

"John Brinkmann," via the web.