Education
Chief Illiniwek relegated to sidelines for games


Fans won't see the Chief Illiniwek mascot when the University of Illinois basketball team heads to the Big Ten tournament this week.

Controversy over the use of the mascot has relegated the "Chief" to the sidelines. The student who portrays him gets to "dance" only at home games and at other specially designated sites -- but not at the Big Ten or the Final Four, if the team makes it there.

That wasn't always the case. In 1989, when UI went to the Final Four, the mascot was treated as a hero. Most non-Indian students and alumni support the mascot but Indian students and activists say it is offensive.

Get the Story:
Chief topic of discord (The Chicago Tribune 3/11)
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Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Anti-Chief Site - http://www.prairienet.org/prc/prcanti.html

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Column: Chief Illiniwek mascot inappropriate (12/02)
Opinion: Chief Illiniwek will take his last dance soon (09/15)
University board to discuss fate of Chief Illiniwek (06/17)
Anti-Chief Illiniwek activists stage sit-in at college (04/19)
Students support keeping Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/19)
School to poll students on Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/11)
Chief Illiniwek battle an especially harsh one (12/16)
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Editorial: Stop 'pussyfooting' on Chief Illiniwek (11/17)
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'Chief' school opens Native American House (02/07)
Ill. mascot foes awarded $5,000 (07/23)
Ex-school official faces suit in mascot case (5/29)
Students vote to retire Illiniwek (5/3)
Retain or retire, but no apology for 'Chief' (3/14)
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