RW, Mar. 16, 2005

(Opinion: strongly pro-Chief)

I would say if their were any Illinois (direct descendents of the Illini, not Cherokee or other tribes) Indians alive today to object to the use of a fictional character to represent them then the INBA might have a leg to stand on, but the Illini were destroyed at Starved Rock by Pontiac and they died magnificently in the defense of their freedom rather than surrender. Now, why should the people of Illinois, who stand on that brave heritage of the Illini, cave into anybody who wishes to deprive them of the memory of the Illini and who wishes to depose that legacy, because of a perceived prejudice. I for one, have always admired the Illini and have always tried to keep the spirit and the memory and the heritage of the Illini alive. Chief Illiniwek accomplishes that purpose wonderfully. When he appears anywhere in this country, people remember the Illini. Can you say your organization has done anything close to giving the Illini such exposure. The Illini were a people who came before us and we must honor them for they are a part of our heritage and a part of every person born in Illinois. Though I have some Cherokee blood in my bloodline, I feel closer to the Illini than the Cherokee. I'm sure Illiniwek might seem to some members of other tribes to be in a general sense, a caricature. It is not and never was meant to be. If Illiniwek does not keep alive the very thought in people's minds of the Illini then it will die and will the INBA step into the breech and promote the memory of the Illini? I think not. I for one will not let the memory of the Illini people die. That memory is our heritage too and that is something no one should be permitted to take from us. They shed their blood for the ground upon which now we walk. Should we not honor them for that sacrifice?

RW, via the web.