After years of criticism from activists, the University of Illinois had decided to retire its American Indian mascot. Here is the story:
The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men’s home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others complained for years that the mascot, used since 1926, is demeaning. Supporters of the mascot say it honors the contributions of American Indians to Illinois.
Illinois still will be able to use the name Illini because it’s short for Illinois and the school can use the term Fighting Illini, because it’s considered a reference to the team’s competitive spirit, school officials said. It is unclear if the school will get a new mascot.
It doesn’t seem that they are doing this based on some ethical awakening. The full story reveals reservations of some administrators, but the pressure from the NCAA was just too much.
Next stop– probably University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux or the Florida State Seminoles.
I was under the impression that the Seminole tribe supported Florida State’s use of the name.
I worked at UIUC when the Chief Illiniwek controversy was starting to pick up steam, and my impression has been that it’s always been less about ethical qualms and more about the financial implications for the university. But kudos for the NCAA for stepping up to the plate on this one. Watching the chief dance at halftime at a few football and basketball games I attended was just depressing.
And Tapetum is right. The Seminole tribe supports FSU’s use of their name, in part, I believe, because FSU gives some money to the tribe.
I suppose there are some who would like to change to name of Illinois or Indiana too.
Yeah, I do believe there is some kind of back door deal there, but I’m not sure exactly what it is, and I’m not sure that this exempts them from the NCAA rules.
On Florida State’s use of the Seminole name; the NCAA has approved it. Here’s the NYT link.
It wasn’t a back-door deal; the deciding factor was that the Seminole Tribe of Florida filed an appeal against the NCAA decision, basically on the grounds that the Seminole name belongs to them, and they wanted to license FSU to use it.
Dan wrote “I suppose there are some who would like to change to name of Illinois or Indiana too.” Neither American Indian nor anyone else has requested such changes nor will they. In fact, the people who “speculate” about such being a likelihood are mostly European-Americans trying to protect race-based sports nicknames using a “sky-is-falling” “slippery slope” “where will it end” “will state names be next” rant to try to get non-Natives to trivialize the legitimate concerns of American Indians
Many other universities have been pressured to do the same thing. In Michigan, Eastern Michigan University is bordered by the Huron River and used to be called the “Hurons.” Years ago, when the name change was made, the Huron Tribe objected vociferously. In the 4 years that I attended EMU, I never saw the Huron Indian brave depicted with anything but dignity. The Huron Tribe was not even consulted for their opinion.
Meanwhile, a few hours north in Michigan, Central Michigan University has LONG had a cl0se relationship with the tribe of Chippewas. This is because the university was built, in part, on the Chippewa reservation in the area. Chippewa is a language taught at CMU. (I think it was even a major or minor, but am not sure.) Central Michigan University’s mascot is still “Chippewas,” and usually the mascot is identified as the Chips.
I know the tribes were in favor of keeping the mascot in each case, but the only difference is the long-standing relationship with the tribe in the case of CMU. It seems to me that the purpose of accepting various American Indian tribes as a part of society might be better served by having a closer relationship between the university or college with the corresponding tribes. Perhaps more educational good could be done by having the tribal dances in the pre-game or half-time; maybe in conjunction with one number played by the band, or even one outstanding show per season which becomes a tradition.
Certainly, when one feels a connection with the others, there is more willingness to understand. Aligning the educated students at our colleges and universities with American Indian tribes seems to be one way to do so. But, apparently growing up quite near an American Indian tribal reservation in Michigan and seeing many of the tribal members in the small town integrated into the community does not make me a typical observer. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Do people really not understand the difference between the naming of a sports team and of a state?
I’m assuming “reservations of some administrators” was an unintentional pun.
Yeah, the Chief Illiniwek bit has been going on for some time. The real impetus for dumping him was the financial implications; until they did, the NCAA would not let U of I host any post-season events. Unlike the Sioux or the Seminoles, the Illini couldn’t get involved one way or another; the tribe itself was wiped out in the 18th century by another band in revenge because a member of the Illini had killed their chief. There is a state park not too far from me called “Starved Rock” which has that name because the last group of the Illini took refuge on top of it from their enemies and were then starved to death (actually, it was probably a lack of water) on top of it when their enemies surrounded it. Or so the story goes.
Rachel, you’re not going to see a change with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux, either. The Sioux themselves support the use of the name and the way that it is being used. Just because a university uses the name of a Native American band doesn’t automatically mean that it’s insulting or patronizing; at least, not according to the people those names belong to, anyway. You ought to check into these things before making any assumptions.
birdshell, if the Huron tribe supported the use of their name by the school, they could have gotten the NCAA to back down. If the tribe thinks their name is being properly used, it’s really not the business of any outside activists.
I have to say that the first time I saw Chief Illiniwek perform, I said to myself “WTF? No way that’s an authentic dance!” And after checking it out, I was right. I’m far from PC, but even I can support this.
The NHL team in Chicago is called the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s named after a specific Native American chieftan of a local tribe who was notable for his character and leadership. The team logo features a profile of a Native American face that, while highly stylized, is not a caricature in the same mold as, say, the Cleveland Indians’ “Chief Wahoo”. The logo itself is the only representation of Native Americans; there is no mascot, yell, “tomahawk chop”, etc. There have been occasional calls to make a change, but it’s gotten little traction in the press. The team is owned by a wealthy individual who blows off what little (and I do mean little, very little) controversy there has been and is famous (infamous?) for his disdain for public opinion about anything. The team’s fans are quite loyal (considering the team’s record, they’d have to be) and would strongly oppose a change. Even when all the press about the Washington Redskins has occurred, no one has really talked much about the Blackhawks.
Elayne,
That’s good I didn’t even catch the pun there. Maybe it was a Freudian subconscious connection. LOL!
The local native American groups here at Grand Forks do NOT support the Sioux nickname. But it’ll probably be a hot day in this circle of hell before the name is changed, due to some mostly not-racist and VERY racist white people with deep pockets who seem to think that they have some sort of right to the name. We’ll be in court with the NCAA when I graduate in three years.
The local native American groups here at Grand Forks do NOT support the Sioux nickname.
I had made that statement on the basis of information that includes this, from a letter from the President of UND to the NCAA:
Although we thought it strange – perverse actually – to assume guilt until innocence was proven, or at least objectively indicated, we offered the facts that (1) our nearest Sioux Tribe gave us written permission (which still stands despite repeated attempts by the NCAA staff itself and other nickname opponents to ask the Tribal Council to rescind its resolution) to use the name; (2) we have over four hundred American Indian students going to school here, many of whom are just fine with the nickname and none of whom would be here if the environment were really hostile and abusive; (3) it was reported to you, directly by the Chair of the Tribal Council Judicial Committee that, at the only other Sioux Reservation based in North Dakota, a district-by-district referendum resulted in nearly unanimous support for UND’s use of the Sioux nickname; and, (4) the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education spent a week here investigating earlier “hostile environment” charges made by our local nickname opposition group – and made no such finding – as clear indications that our handling of the nickname is in no way hostile and abusive.
Emphasis from the original. There are many other worthwhile points in here as well.
Is this information incorrect? Is there other information that would counter this? I would sincerely like to know.
(I accidentally deleted my lengthy article. Here’s the basics…)
UND’s arena was built with money from Ralph Engelstad, a Las Vegas casino owner who threatened to withdraw funding if the nickname was changed. Engelstad put thousands of Fighting Sioux logos in the arena to forestall removal of the name.
Engelstad was notorious for having two “Hitler Birthday Parties” at the Imperial Palace casino in Las Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Commission fined the Imperial Palace $1.5 million for this misconduct. The IP was sold to Harrah’s in 2005, and it will likely be torn down for expansion of Harrah’s or the Flamingo.
The FSU-Seminoles situation is fine, as for any other school that agrees with a tribe over use of the name and mascots. However, a general “Indians” name is out of bounds, unless there’s a special relationship (like the Cleveland Indians naming themselves after Lou Sockalexis, a Penobscot Indian star of the late 19th Century. Of course, Chief Wahoo has to go – replace the caricature with an iconic picture of Sockalexis in his uniform like on the Wikipedia page linked here.)
And DON’T replace the Indian with something stoopid, like the Stanford Tree.
We Stanfords lobbied for “The Robber Barons” (after all, that’s what Leland Stanford was) but the Trustees nixed it. Not respectful enough or something. So now we have that dumb dancing tree. Oh well.
It would be nice to see a school which named its team “The [Select Indian Tribe]” and then established scholarships and preferential admission for members of that tribe, in the same way that “heritage” applicants (ie, children of alumni) are treated today. And then got some elders in to teach young members of the tribe at the school something about their heritage, maybe even some language classes if feasible – established some classes for credit, for example, open to everyone. And IF the tribe had a suitable heritage dance which was in fact a “war” dance and not a religious rite, it might even be nice if a group of students performed it – properly – at football games. More interesting than the usual garbage. Fun for everyone, I would think.
Stanford could and probably should have done something like that for the Hupa, the Yurok and the Karok tribes (from whom they recruited their Indian dancer) rather than just immortalize a redwood tree. The Hupa kids could certainly use a boost. The Hoopa Valley is a beautiful place, but there’s not a lot going on economically, and mostly the kids – and the adults – just sit around and mope. Or drink.
Speaking of heavy drinkers, our local high school calls itself the “Highlanders” (it’s on a hill) and plays bagpipes at official functions. The band wears kilts (whether “true” (ie nude underneath) or not I don’t know). No one from Scotland has objected yet.
No one from Scotland has objected yet.
How dare you appropriate my culture, you racist imperialist pricks!
Wait, on second thought, I don’t care. Never mind.
The FSU situation is not as cut and dry as people would like it to appear. Some–but not all Seminoles–have agreed to license the name to the school. But the Seminoles who live in Oklahoma–because their ancestors were driven out of Florda and their chief, Osceola, was tricked into a meeting and then captured and died in prison–are not as psyched that their name is being used and Osceola’s image can be found in such ignominious places as under someone’s ass (on a stadium seat).
Hmmm….the Wikipedia article on the Seminole tribe said that both the Florida and the Oklahoma Nations approved FSU using the name.
I also didn’t know that the Seminole Nation owns the Hard Rock Cafe enterprises – they just purchased all the properties except for the original one in London and the Las Vegas casino/hotel. (They were currently running the hotel/casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Florida.)
Well I think we all know Wikipedia, as valuable as it is at times, is not the best source for presenting nuanced information.
Go visit this site. It discusses the issue that exists among the leadership of the Oklahoma Seminoles who are not unanimous in their support of FSU’s use of their name and Chief Osceola.
Not unanimous, but it appears as if the outgoing chief of the Oklahoma Seminoles was in favor. And the Florida Seminoles are in favor.
Interesting article, though.
The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, who just about everyone acknowledges as having historically come from the Illini, used to approve of Chief Illniwek but in recent years have been petitioning the University to retire the character.
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Speaking of heavy drinkers, our local high school calls itself the “Highlanders” (it’s on a hill) and plays bagpipes at official functions. The band wears kilts (whether “true” (ie nude underneath) or not I don’t know). No one from Scotland has objected yet.
Susan, this sounds suspiciously like the Seattle-area high school I attended. School tradition states that the school was given permission from the Clan Gordan of Scotland to use its colors, tartan, and symbols. So in a sense their appropriation of Scottish culture is with permission.
Bramble, do they drink single-malt Scotch too?
My daughter and her husband (Clan Sutherland) live in Edinburgh, and belong to the Single-Malt Scotch Of The Month Club. So every month they get a new single malt scotch, which they sit around and drink in civilized little glasses and say things to each other like, “Hmmm, I think this has just a bit more PEAT in it than the last, what do you think?”
I’m hoping, probably in vain, that the high schoolers to whom you refer do not drink like real Scotsmen. I don’t mean the Single-Malt Scotch crowd, I mean the mobs in the pubs.
Single Malt Scotch of the Month Club? Damn. Guess I know what I’ll be asking for for Christmas this year. Although actually I like Irish whiskey better. I wonder if there’s an equivalent?
Ron, if I know the Irish, I’m sure there’s an equivalent!