Sioux to Illini: Return regalia-Tribe says attire's use is degrading

The Chicago Times ^ | January 19, 2007 | Jodi S. Cohen and Michelle S. Keller

[Cincinatus' Wife]

In a 1982 halftime ceremony at Memorial Stadium, a 93-year-old Oglala Sioux chief and medicine man presented the University of Illinois with tribal regalia for use by the university's mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

The university paid $3,500 for the moccasins, blanket, peace pipe pouch, breastplate and war bonnet with 90 eagle feathers, all owned by Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow..

...Some university students and Native Americans have asked university trustees to end the Chief tradition, saying it is humiliating and creates a hostile environment on campus.

Supporters say the Chief respects Native American culture and is a revered tradition that dates to 1926.

Lawrence Eppley, chairman of the U. of I. board of trustees, said Thursday that the board should decide this year about the future of the Chief, citing a ruling by the NCAA that prohibits the university from hosting postseason competition as long as the Illiniwek tradition continues.

Last year the school lost an appeal, and men's tennis and women's soccer teams were unable to host postseason play.

...Faculty and staff members in American Indian studies at the Native American House at the U. of I. said they hoped the resolution would finally push university administrators to end use of the mascot.

...One former Chief Illiniwek, Steve Raquel, said Thursday that he was surprised by the demand because he thought the university and the tribe had a good relationship.

"To hear this request come back just kind of saddened me and saddens a lot of the chiefs," said Raquel, of Naperville, a member of the Council of Chiefs, a group of 27 alumni who portrayed Illiniwek. Raquel was Chief from 1992 to 1993.

"We did purchase it," said Raquel, referring to the university. "The ceremony that we had was a presentation of gratitude. ...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Chief Illiniwek during half time of a University of Illinois game at the United Center in December. (Tribune photo by Scott Strazzante) January 18, 2007

[tfecw]

Indian givers?

[Vaquero]

How Degrading (sarc).

.....time for a change????

[Rocket1968]

Why don't they change the name of the state while their at it. What crap!

[N. Theknow]

Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow..

Degrading and humiliating?

Anyone ask the crow how it felt about a lowly human using its name?

[Celtic Conservative]

PC boneheads like these ended the use of an indian mascot at My alma mater. From out of nowhere there came a "groundswell" of concern over the use of the name of a local tribe and a likeness of a chief as a logo. A vast majority of students polled were in favor of keeping the logo. Additionally, the chief of the tribe in question showed up with the tribal council at a board meeting and expressed continued support for the tribes name and likeness. Still, in spite of all that the use of the tribes name was discontinued in favor of a generic(lame) name and mascot.

PC warriors, a pox on them all!

CC

[Pablo64]

The same thing happened at my alma mater. Despite the fact that a substantial majority of students and alumni who were polled were in favor of keeping the team name as it was, they changed it anyway. The PC-Nazi's claimed that it was degrading to the Native American students (who go to school there tuition free, by the way).

None of my Native American friends (who referred to themselves as Indian) had an issue with the old name, and most hadn't even thought about it. The whole stink was raised by a bunch of white liberal trust fund babies who had way too much time on their hands and way too little brains in their heads. I have refused any and all requests from the alumni association for donations and in fact wrote them explaining why I would never donate unless the school changed back to its original team name (which will never happen).

[Red Badger]

They should Sioux........

[Irish Queen]

Here is a list of suggested PC team names:

1.The Dandilions with Dandi the mascot.

2. The Poodles with Jacque the mascot

3. The Hippies with Toke the mascot.

Please feel free to add on to the list.

[Non-Sequitur]

Lawrence Eppley, chairman of the U. of I. board of trustees, said Thursday that the board should decide this year about the future of the Chief, citing a ruling by the NCAA that prohibits the university from hosting postseason competition as long as the Illiniwek tradition continues.

Given the performance of the Illinois football and basketball teams I don't think that hosting postseason competition is going to be a problem regardless. And I say that as an Illinois grad.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Northwestern University's nickname was The Fighting Methodists before it was changed to Wildcats.

http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2003/0710.shtml

[justshutupandtakeit]

I think things are looking up in football though. Apparently Zook has had an incredible recruiting class.

God am I tired of these idiots and the NCAA.

Next I expect the NCAA to forbid Arkansas' punter from doing his pre-punt stretches since they look like an Indian movement.

[absolootezer0]

anyone know what's going on with the seminoles? didn't they get a pass to keep their mascot due to tribal support?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

That last I heard, that was the outcome.

[Pablo64]

When the group that was pushing this asked for suggestions for a new name I submitted (and I really did this) the possible names of the amoebas or the earthworms or basically anything else lacking a spine.

Funny, but I never got a response from them.

[HIDEK6]

Northwestern University's nickname was The Fighting Methodists before it was changed to Wildcats.

Elon College in NC used to be The Fighting Christians.

I think they call them the Elons or something stupid like that, now.

[Toddsterpatriot]

This reminds me of slavery reparations. I think they're a great idea. Every surviving slave should be paid by every surviving slave owner. I think every slave should get $1,000,000.

I think every surviving Illini Indian that has a problem with the mascot should get compensation. Wait, every Illini Indian was wiped out......by other Indians? Never mind.