"Like college students, faculty, alumni, and sports fans elsewhere across America, the folks at the University of Illinois really love their sports mascot.
He's not one of those fuzzy, oversized animal characters like Buzz the Yellowjacket at Georgia Tech or Peter the Anteater at the University of California at Irvine. Illinois' mascot is a young white guy dressed in full Sioux Indian regalia, including a feather headdress and fearsome war paint. He goes by the name 'Illiniwek.' The nickname of the university's sports teams is 'Fighting Illini,' and Illiniwek is supposed to invoke that ferocious spirit.
So far, Illinois' administrators have declined to retire Chief Illiniwek. After all, they say, the Oglalla Sioux tribe sold them the mascot costume, so it can't be that degrading.
That was 25 years ago, however, and now the Sioux want the outfit back. Some Native Americans have told interviewers that Illiniwek is harmless, but others find a white guy leaping around in an Indian headdress offensive and degrading."
Get the Story:Native American Mascots Draw Sports Regulators' Ire (Voice of America 2/5) 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:
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)
