"The Chief was a halftime performance character portrayed by a white student in red face. The barefooted chief did turns and leaps in a buckskin costume and a garish headdress of orange, red, black and white feathers.
Chief performers, past and present, banded together in a 'Council of Chiefs.'' Two enactors wrapped themselves in the First Amendment the way they'd so often donned their Chief costume and went to court for their ''right'' to play 'Indian.'
They asked a state judge to save their careers as the Chief - claiming that UIUC was violating their free speech, freedom of assembly and academic freedom - but the judge denied their request.
Usually a source of fascination and amusement, this mascot worship stopped being funny when it turned into Chief hysteria.
To all those fans that are weeping and wailing over the Chief, I can only say one thing: Get a grip!
Pull yourselves together and go learn something about real Native people. Not any sports symbol; not a cartoon version of a historical Indian figure; not the Indian butter maiden; and not an Indian in a cupboard."
Get the Story:Suzan Shown Harjo: Illiniwek fans missed the Indians for the 'Chief' (Indian Country Today 2/23) NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006) NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006) NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005) Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org Related Stories:
Novak: 'Chief Illiniwek' honored Native people (2/22)
Column: Not all Native people honored by mascots (2/22)
Column: Mascots disempower Native Americans (2/22)
Opinions: 'Chief Illiniwek' going out like Custer (2/21)
Column: It's finally the end for 'Chief llliniwek' (2/20)
Tim Giago: 'Chief Illiniwek' does his last dance (2/19)
Oglala Sioux Tribe welcomes end of 'Chief' mascot (2/19)
University retires 'Chief Illiniwek' performances (2/16)
Opponents of 'Chief Illiniwek' rally on campus (2/2)
No charges over threat to Indian student in Illinois (1/30)
Natives thriving off-reserve in Western Canada (1/26)
Editorial: It's time to put 'Chief Illiniwek' to rest (1/24)
School says 'Chief Illiniwek' headdress was returned (1/22)
Oglala Sioux Tribe denounces 'Chief Illiniwek' (1/19)
Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks return of 'Chief' regalia (1/18)
Native students threatened over 'Chief Illiniwek' (1/17)
Editorial: Go to court to protect 'Chief Illiniwek' (11/20)
No action taken on 'Chief Illiniwek' in Illinois (11/10)
Column: It's time to get rid of 'Chief Illiniwek' (10/12)
Illinois court rejects lawsuit againt Chief Illiniwek (09/20)
University said to drop 'Chief Illiniwek' as mascot (08/31)
School files another appeal to save Chief Illiniwek (02/01)
Editorial: 'Chief Illiniwek' a sacred symbol (11/21)
NCAA allows 'Illini' but rejects 'Chief Illiniwek' (11/14)
Column: Tribes have right to oppose 'Chief Illiniwek' (09/15)
University of Illinois trustee blasts NCAA policy (08/17)
Illiniwek 'chiefs' say they are proud of tradition (04/22)
Drunk Student: Chief Illiniwek is not offensive to Natives (04/07)
Native lawyers file lawsuit against Chief Illiniwek (03/16)
Chief Illiniwek relegated to sidelines for games (3/11)
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)
Alumni support didn't drop after mascot change (2/20)
Editorial: Stop 'pussyfooting' on Chief Illiniwek (11/17)
Commentary: Don't get rid of Chief Illiniwek (11/13)
'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)
Chief Illiniwek report released (3/13)
Editorial: Rethink mascot opposition (3/7)
Illiniwek foes win round in court (4/6)
Church gives money to Chief Illiniwek foes (2/8)
