"As an alumnus, I�ve taken special pride in the amazing accomplishments of the University of Illinois basketball program this year. That team represents much of what is good in the world of sports, and it has deserved its considerable media attention.

But the 'Fighting Illini' should not be the only American Indian name making headlines right now.

Make no mistake, these Illini are a unique bunch. As one of the 17,000 screaming, orange-clad fans who witnessed first-hand Saturday�s miraculous 15-point comeback against Arizona, I can attest that they are a special group - a model of what selflessness, a never-say-die attitude and hard work can accomplish.

But for all that, the irony that the sports achievements of a school nicknamed for a group of American Indians garners more headlines than an actual American Indian tribe in crisis is a sad statement about our national priorities."

Get the Story:
Adam Kotlarczyk: A tale of two tribes (The Northern Star Perspective 3/31)

Relevant Links:
Red Lake Net News - http://www.rlnn.com
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org
Red Lake High School - http://www.paulbunyan.net/rlschools/hs.htm

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