Ward Churchill on being an Indian: 'I am not'

Education
Ward Churchill on being an Indian: 'I am not'
Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Controversial University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill admitted on Tuesday that he is not Native American, according to a Hawaii paper that has since issued a retraction.

In his first out-of-state appearance since stirring up controversy with an essay comparing some of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack to Nazis, Churchill spoke to a large crowd at the University of Hawaii on Tuesday. He brought up the subject of his ancestry.

"Let's cut to the chase; I am not," he said, The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported on Wednesady before issuing a correction.

Churchill said the issue of his heritage was made up by the media. The Star-Bulletin did not report whether he addressed claims that he made himself about being Indian.

In related news, University of Colorado regents are reviewing Churchill's academic history in response to the 9/11 controversy. CU president Betsy Hoffman told Republican lawmakers yesterday that their public statements against Churchill could end up helping him if he ends up getting fired.

"If we approach this issue wrong ... professor Churchill will win his lawsuit with triple damages and be back on the faculty, and a very wealthy man at our expense," Hoffman was quoted as saying.

Churchill's next major appearance is at the University of Wisconsin next month for the school's Native Pride week.

Get the Story:
Churchill attacks essay�s critics (The Honolulu Star-Bulletin 2/23)
Outspoken prof critical of U.S. (The Honolulu Advertiser 2/23)
Should UW-Whitewater Cancel Controversial Speaker? (WISN 2/23)
Professor who compared 911 victims to Nazis taught in S.D. (AP 2/23)
Prof draws crowd for Hawaii speech (AP 2/23)
Reprovals could aid Churchill (The Denver Post 2/23)

Churchill's 9/11 Essay:
"Some People Push Back" On the Justice of Roosting Chickens (Pockets of Resistance September 2001)