• To give a voice to those who believe that Chief Illiniwek should be retired;
• To promote discussion between those who are pro- and anti-Chief;
• To encourage a change in policy - to retire the chief.

The Respect The Chief billboards that appeared in Champaign-Urbana expressed one view. Other than selective protests and occasional articles in local media, the voices of those who believe the Chief should be retired are rarely heard. One might even assume that only a very few are opposed to the Chief.

I don't subscribe to that opinion.

Jay Rosenstein, in his 2001 article In Whose Honor? (Team Spirits, chapter 11) argues

American Indians will always have to be part of a newsworthy event, such as a protest or the airing of a national documentary, in order to have their point of view included in the media...

This site exists to try and change that. In particular, we want to help turn up the volume on the Chief debate, and take it beyond the opinions of the few with the resources or access to the media.

Whether you are pro- or anti-Chief: Welcome. As I ask others to bring their opinions here and identify themselves, I do the same. But the Chief debate is not about any one person, but the opinions of many, and the opposition of more than a few. I hope to make this a community resource, and encourage you to make yourself heard here.

Brian Jewett - Fall, 2002
RetireTheChief.org
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

Ten Reasons to Retire Chief Illiniwek

Diversity is not just a goal - it is a University mandate. An environment characterized by insensitivity or disregard for cultural differences is one inconsistent with a diverse, inclusive atmosphere. "[UIUC] is committed to excellence, and its emphasis on diversity is a vital part of that commitment." The University should retire Chief Illiniwek to do so. click for more.

Native Americans face extraordinarily powerful stereotypes - well entrenched images of the Indian of over 100 years ago. Chief Illiniwek perpetuates this outdated stereotype, which "freezes Native peoples in the past." We can find a less controversial and divisive symbol. click for more.

Publicity regarding the Chief extends far beyond Champaign-Urbana. A wide range of organizations, as well as national news and sports columnists, have stated their opposition to the Chief. The University has a well deserved reputation for excellence, but the Chief reflects poorly on UIUC. click for more.

While not intended as such, the Chief is a racist symbol because of the impact he has on Native Americans. More than just an image, symbols such as the Chief help change how we view Native Americans, how they view themselves, and - importantly - whether they feel that they should conform to a stereotype. click for more.

Children exposed to powerful stereotypes may experience and react to "stereotype threat" and suffer from low self-esteem, which has wide ranging implications for school performance and their growth into our society. Don't take our word for it; read these articles from Berkeley psychologists or the National Science Foundation.

Let's be honest. The Chief isn't the real thing. The dance is done for half-time entertainment, not as a realistic reproduction of Native American dance.

While the Chief may be intended to honor, Native Americans have made it clear they are not honored. Rather, the dress and dance are insulting to that very fundamental part of so many of us: our religion. A person's faith does not belong in a halftime show.

The NCAA executive committee, following an earlier review on use of Native American imagery, concluded that such symbols may create a "hostile and abusive" environment. As one NCAA committee member said, "Indian mascots must be of concern to the NCAA ... good intentions to honor American Indians do not always end in good results."

Chief Illiniwek has a continuing negative impact on our campus. Some students avoid enrolling here because of the Chief, and in a letter to the Chronicle of Higher Education, one prospective faculty member made clear that she withdrew her application due to the presence of the Chief. Is this an acceptable price for a University symbol?

Is Chief Illiniwek a good representative of our University? What image does he project out to the world? Now reduced to halftime shows, the Chief is clearly a detriment to, rather than a positive symbol of a great University. When the resolution is again brought before them, we encourage the Board of Trustees to do the right thing and retire the Chief. To do so is in the best interests of the University of Illinois.