Chief to re-emerge at 'Next Dance' amid protests
Logan Ponce, portraying Chief Illiniwek, faces the crowd after performing during the Three In One at "The Next Dance" at Assembly Hall on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.Wesley Fane The Daily Illini
As homecoming weekend arrives, mixed opinions surround the approaching of the Chief's Next Dance.
Students for Chief Illiniwek will host The Next Dance at 7 p.m. Friday at Assembly Hall to commemorate the former mascot of the University, while other students will be protesting the event.
Elyse Eilts, president of Students for Chief Illiniwek and senior in LAS, said she organizes many events throughout the year to promote the Chief tradition and native Illinois culture.
"Our events are meant to be catalysts to promote and educate people about native Illinois culture, not to be offensive towards any group of people," Eilts said.
The Next Dance will include an introduction of the Chief tradition, appearances from former chiefs, the Chief's dance and a speech from Glenn "Red Knife" Barnhill, president of the Grand Village of Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood, Ill.
Eilts said she expects a good turnout for the event because tickets are free for students with a valid i-card. She also said the event is a fundraiser for the renovation and enhancement of Kickapoo National Park.
"We see the Chief as more that just four and a half minutes at halftime. It's more than just supporting the team. It's about supporting where the people of this state came from originally," Eilts said. "That's what our whole goal is. We see him as a positive symbol of that. Even though his dance and his regalia are not native to the Illini people, they are native dances that were taught by native people elsewhere."
Others are organizing Friday to protest the continued reemergence of the University's discontinued mascot.
"The University has shown its commitment to remove the mascot, and we need to honor that," said Belinda De La Rosa, interim director of the Native American House.
The IResist Coalition, a social justice organization, is one of the student organizations protesting The Next Dance. The group will be marching from the Alma Mater to the Assembly Hall where they will rally in response to Students for Chief Illiniwek's Next Dance, according to a press release from the organization.
"I will be at the rally on Friday", said Ryan Jameson, junior in ACES. "It was a huge milestone for the University to discontinue the Chief and I feel like events like this takes the purpose away from the struggles that people have endured to discontinue the mascot."
Other schools have mascots similar to Chief Illiniwek, but if Native Americans have a problem with the mascot it should be discontinued, said Ashok Poozhikunnel, freshman in LAS.
"Students can still do whatever they want, though," he added.
De La Rosa said she is saddened and disappointed by events such as the Next Dance, which demonstrate the lack of development on the part of students at the University.
"Students are not moving beyond tolerance to acceptance and empathy for other people and understanding that this is not in any way honoring anybody," De La Rosa said. "It's not even called a ceremony or ritual, it's called a dance because it is not legitimate in any way."
Amidst the controversy that the Chief has created, Robin Kaler, University spokeswoman, said the University is a place where students can learn to listen to the thoughts and ideas of others while maintaining their freedom of speech.
"We have student organizations for and against all sorts of things. And again it falls under that umbrella of free speech rights," Kaler said.
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Long Live the Chief
Ms. De La Rosa and all the rest of you PC Goons: GET A LIFE!!!!
I grew up near Starved Rock State Park and I worked there when I was in Junior College at IVCC. I'll bet you, Ms. De La Rosa, have no clue as to the significance of the name Starved Rock. That's because you are probably not even from Illinois...and if you are, go study Illinois history.
I would tell you of tyhe significance of the name "Starved Rock" but I think you should go look it up. Yopu might get a lesson as to the history of Illinois and the Illini.
As someone else pointed out in another post, Chief Osceola, the "symbol" of the Florida State Seminoles, is a spear-chucking Warrior. That to me is hostile and abusive...not the Chief.
In my 61 years on this earth, I have learned many things, one of which is: those who use disparaging terms - like racist, homophobe, etc. - are usually the ones who really are. So, Ms. De La Rosa, perhaps it is you who are the real racist.
Question for Belinda De La Rosa
Question for esteemed Belinda De La Rosa, interim director of the Native American House:
do you realize that a majority of the students who care one way or the other about the Chief issue are pro-Chief? do you realize that your very salary is being paid by UIUC students, including (in fact predominantly) the students who don't share radical, hyperbolic anti-Chief views?
Given these facts, don't you think it is time to consider resigning from a well-paid job, as long as the payers "lack development" and you just downright pity and despise them so much? I am just saying, please be consistent in your views.Bottom line what's more important, the monthly check or your views? If the former, try to formulate the latter in a way which doesn't sound abysmally hypocritical.
There is an old saying in the neck of the woods I am from: don't spit into the well which gives you water. Thanks for reading. I am looking forward to your response.
Sad
Some people just always need to have something to protest about I guess. I still don't understand what is so "racist" about the Chief. And I never understand, so it wasn't racist for almost 80 years and now all of a sudden it is a social injustice? Come on people lighten up, it's just a mascot, like the many other mascots around pro and collegiate athletics. No one is trying to directly offend anyone with the portrayal of the Chief, and he is always respected. As an alum, I think it's sad that the University caved to a very small vocal minority like so many other things in this country.
What the Chief Does Mean
I'm an alumni. For many of us, the chief has always been the symbol of our university. He represents the honor, tradition, and pride we feel for the UI. He represents those people that we met and became friends with while in school here, and the shared pride we feel when an alum is honored by the "outside world", whether that be a NASA pilot, a Nobel prize winner, or any other positive example of what we are a part of here.
That doesn't make me a racist, it makes me proud to be an Alumni of the University of Illinois.
If the powers that be agreed to not have the chief dance and to dress him in attire appropriate for his named descendants, would those that say the Chief is a racist symol change their mind and not fight the Chief as the honored symbol of the University? I don't believe that it would chance many opinions. Thats the sad part to me.
The truth is, that MANY people want the Chief to be part of the UI because they feel the way I do. The chief, as a symbol of the University, does represent honor and pride to many people. That viewpoint is just as valid as any other, and just as credible.
It's a shame that extreme viewpoints, on both sides of the issue, prevent us from using common sense to help us come to a just solution and find middle ground.
I think the real message to
I think the real message to the Native people is - look, we beat your asses and we conquered you. Now it's our right as white people to do whatever we want with you or your culture - including making a sub-human mascot out of your "Chief" to dance at our sporting events. There's nothing you can do since you have no power. Now we're going to pretend these offensive actions are actually honoring you and if you don't agree with us, then you're not being a nice little docile Indian. We white men reserve the right to ridicule you in every way possible. We will re-write history and make up lied in order to put you down - because we're white and we rule the world.
Respect the authority of the white people who are the master of your lands - you do have the right to kill yourself if you can't take it. Our forefathers worked hard and killed many of your ancestors to give us these White Privileges, and we will do everything to preserve it, or as we call it, being "Un-PC". After all, we still have an NFL team based in Washington named after a racial slur - that will tell you how little we respect your culture. Now let our white students dress up as your people and dance for our entertainment - you should feel honored that a white person has donned your strange and primitive garb.
Keep up the good work.
Keep up the good work.
What did she say?
"De La Rosa said she is saddened and disappointed by events such as the Next Dance, which demonstrate the lack of development on the part of students at the University."
Did she actually SAY these events demonstrate the lack of development, or is this the writer paraphrasing? That's a pretty strong statement. I'd like to know if those were her exact words. If they weren't, that's a problem.
If she did say those exact words, then I'm undeveloped and proud of it.
Is it unfortunate Native Americans are offended? Sure. Do I care? No.
You lean on people with the weight of racism and other such allegations with the purpose of curtailing free speech rights and then expect sympathy? I don't think so. Get off your PC high horse and reinvest in the basic freedoms of this country.
Contrary to pronunciation
Contrary to pronunciation guides, "chief" is actually pronounced with a triple k sound.
Oh Crap
He's cracked our code, now all the anti-Chief people know that when we say we support the Chief what we really mean is we want to round up all the Natives and throw them in camps. Quick, get him before his unleashes more of his profound wit on us!
(Note, the above is sarcasm)
I guess the resolution and
I guess the resolution and statements by the descendants of the Illiniwek, the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma, are of no interest to the Chief supporters.
In April 2000, the tribal council, with Chief Froman's support, passed by the margin of 3 to 2 a resolution requesting "the leadership of the University of Illinois to recognize the demeaning nature of the characterization of Chief Illiniwek, and cease use of this mascots [sic]". Froman said, "I don't know what the origination was, or what the reason was for the university to create Chief Illiniwek. I don't think it was to honor us, because, hell, they ran our (butts) out of Illinois." This puts Chief Illiniwek in a position different from that of the mascots of other schools such as Florida State University, whose Native American mascots are not opposed by the leadership of the corresponding tribes. In 2005, a new Chief, John P. Froman, when asked his position by the NCAA, indicated that "the Chief was not representative of our tribe and culture, mainly because the costume is Sioux." In 2006, in response to a widely published column by journalist George Will in support of the symbol's use, he wrote a letter reiterating the Peoria Tribe's opposition to the symbol and decrying that the "University of Illinois has ignored the tribe’s request for nearly five years."
Who ran whose butts out of Illinois?
So, Mr. Froman says all of us evil Caucasians "ran our (butts) out of Illinois." Really? According to the history books I've read the Illini Confederation was annihilated - wiped out - by the Iroquois in the 1600's after the Iroquois annihilated the Hurons. The Iroquois wanted the land and the Illini were in the way. Today it would be called ethnic cleansing. Doesn't make it any better - but if your going to accuse at least accuse the proper party who destroyed your ancestors. Of course, the fact that it was fellow Native Americans might not get the same spin, especially with the cultural bleeding hearts, would it?
Discounting the Descendents of the Illiniwek
Perhaps you need to read more recent historical accounts of the fate of the Illiniwek. A great deal of historical information has been published in the last 10 years on tribal history.
It is curious that those who claim to honor the Illiniwek refuse to acknowledge the survivors and descendants of the tribe. Why is that so?
Chief Respect
Long Live the CHIEF !!!!!!!!
I am not an expert on
I am not an expert on Journalistic style, however when I read an opening statement such as, "As homecoming weekend arrives, mixed opinions surround the approaching of the Chief's Next Dance," I then look for other references to Homecoming. In this article there are no other references to Homecoming. In fact, Homecoming has noting to do with the article. Homecoming is not the week of Penn State, which is what coincides with the Chief event. So why was Homecoming even mentioned? Do not confuse these two events just for the sake of mentioning Homecoming in the same article as the Chief.
Wide Screen HD Projection
I attended the event tonight and was fairly impressed - it was well-organized, fairly well presented, and overall a good experience. What I found most interesting of the entire evening were Red Knife's comments regarding the disappearance of Native history in modern America and the effort put forward to preserve the ancient, original traditions.
What was most disappointing, however, was the crowd of students angrily protesting the event, doing themselves no service in terms of informed integrity, emotional dignity or intellectual respect for three reasons:
1. Of the hundred or so standing outside, maybe a few entered - a couple of random hecklers that rudely interjected during the event. Breaking decorum is no way to get a point across unless you're an attention whore, but that's not the point; the fact is that the majority of protesters stayed outside and did not hear what was said, ironically becoming the ignorant masses they so wonderfully downplay as showing a "lack of development". If you want credence, at least know what's being said firsthand. Standing around outside waiting for your insider buddy to tell you "ZOMG SO RACIST" does not make you an authoritative credible source regarding the event.
2. The word "peaceful" was thrown around several times by the mob, which was amazing given the animosity in their look and voice. If the term "peaceful" only goes as far as the end of your fist, then yes, it was a peaceful protest, but to generate so much hatred in your face, speech and mind, only to wrongfully project that hatred through others by calling them racist is downright hypocritical and certainly not "peaceful". Anyone making an emotional connection to this group ought to calm down, step back, and re-evaluate whether their judgments and decisions are sound.
3. The last person who thought screaming at me and banging a drum at me would solve a problem was my four-year-old cousin. That was the case up until tonight, when I heard the intrepid crowd of protesters refer to themselves as "resistors". You weren't "resisting" anything - you were throwing a fit. For people so arrogantly self-sophisticated, you act like children, and what's more, you call everyone else childish in the process. How can possibly call someone immature when your brilliant idea involves chanting at the top of your lungs so that no one can get a word in otherwise? Did civil discourse fail, or are you just too evolved for that? Do you take this same approach in court when you get a ticket or when you fail an exam and want the professor to regrade? When you want something changed or maintained, you ask nicely and speak politely, reiterating if necessary and remaining patient like an adult ought to act; acting like a group of toddlers in need of a diaper change makes no logical sense in terms of what you want to accomplish.
The key word of the night was "projection", as the mob outside had projected their own flaws - lack of authority, emotional hatred, and absence of intelligence - through others and blamed everyone else for it. For that, their opinions, like anyone's, should be heavily scrutinized and taken with a very large grain of salt.
"know the presentation"
Leatherbound,
Can we agree that willingly attending a minstrel show makes you a racist? It doesn't matter if the minstrel is pretending to be African-American or Native American, they are a minstrel engaged in offensive acts.
If you didn't want to be labelled a racist, perhaps you shouldn't have gone to "The Next Dance".
And if you are going to go to such events in the future, you might want to prepare yourself for future protests like this.
Indiscriminate Discrimination
Your statement is phenomenally intriguing. How is your stereotype of "All people who attended the event are racist" any different from "all Native Americans dance and wear feathers"? Why is your offensive stereotype suddenly more valid than the one you combat? I ask this sincerely, as that is the message I received from the anti-Chief protesters, that respecting all people has a limit and that one idiotic stereotype is perfectly OK as long as it's going against another one. Hypocritical, Machiavellian, and absolutely ridiculous.
Furthermore, who are you to stop me from formulating my own opinions on a particular issue? The way I see it, the only way I'm going to effectively learn anything is to hear both sides of the story, hearing what everyone has to say, Chief or anti-Chief. That night, I did, and I found the message and methodology of the anti-Chief side more distressing, embarrassing and ludicrous than the other. Touting intelligence and sophistication only to give in to foolish mob mentality is the kind of thing that starts discriminatory behavior in the first place. You will not be the one to tell me what or how to think, and I dare say that your view of a hierarchy of stereotypes indicates an intellectual integrity so dismal that you don't think at all - whether that is by willful choice or societal pressure is up for speculation.
If these hypocritical protests and views are the future of collegiate growth and development, then we as a community are regressing at an astronomical pace. Yes, racism is wrong, but if all the anti-Chief organization can do is generate a new brand of hatred for a new group of people, then the problem will only get worse, and people who simply want to make informed decisions will get caught in the crossfire.
Leatherbound,
Leatherbound,
I commend you for being a true voice of intelligence & simple common sense. Not much was said about the Native American voice speaking out FOR the CHIEF during the program. How is it that these "HATEFUL activists" can not see that FEW (small minority of) Native Americans share their "ideals" & would prefer to see traditions such as CHIEF ILLINIWEK continue. I wish I would have known about this latest Next Dance, I would have been there from 4 hrs away. It sounds as if the Pro CHIEF folks are heading the right direction with teaching & having Native Americans explaining traditions. This is a good step & we need more Native American input to combat the "foolish & hateful uninformed rhetoric" of people who simply want to fight about something. Thank you for addressing "hatefull ignorance" with calm common sense.
You haven't the foggiest idea what a REAL minstrel show is.
If you did, you wouldn't throw out the term as an attempted put down in an attempt to look intelligent. People like you use the old high school debater's trick of attacking the person personally rather than addressing the argument. Guess what - it didn't work back in high school - and it doesn't work now.
Maybe you don't understand
@basset
There is no copyright infringement taking place at this event. The University of Illinois owns a copyright on the Chief logo (as depicted here: http://sinequanon.spleenville.com/archives/images/Illiniwek.gif) but they have no say in who is allowed to dress up in the Chief regalia and perform the Illiniwek Dance.
Great Work
Congrats to SFCI for all their hard work in putting on this event again. I am driving over 3 hours for this event and I can't wait. Wish it could have been with the football game again, but I understand if there were logistical concerns. I hope this years event is as good as last years. Long live the Chief.
A marvelous spitting in the eye of political correctness
Belinda De La Rosa's comment that anyone who doesn't support her anti-Chief viewpoint, or as she put it, such people show a lack of dvelopment because they "... are not moving beyond tolerance to acceptance and empathy for other people and understanding that this is not in any way honoring anybody," represents the height of arrogance and condescension. Clearly, the political correctness fanatics are worried - worried that their vision of an ideologically mandated brave new world is crumbling. The fact that the University administration has gone on record as supporting the concept of free speech and freedom of association, even when it is in the form of an activity that the PC fanatics tut tut, is a breath of fresh air after the enforced political correctness of the crumbling White/Hermann administration. Sorry Ms. De La Rosa, but the Chief is becoming a symbol of something far more important than school spirit or a symbol to inspire solidarity at athletic events. Illiniwek is now becoming a symbol of THE MAJORITY of students, faculty and alumni taking back the campus from the PC fanatics and restoring those basic rights of speech and association guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. People of your mindset made it a battle - don't be surprised now when the war starts going against you.
Idiot Chief lovers
Can't these idiot folks, either racists/white supremacists/willfully ignorant get it that the chief is over? Over for good? Over for a good reason?
Yes, there are traditions that are sad to see gone, but fake indians in inauthentic clothing and accompanied by inauthentic music is simply an open and proud display of prejudice and ignorance.
And while we're at it, the marching band should stop playing that crap, too. It's painful to hear it, and worse to know the directors are shoving it down the throats of the players.
Come on, Illinois, grow up and move on!
the people who perpetuate the
the people who perpetuate the chief could AT LEAST stop trying the old 'this is honoring native americans" line, which is offensive and laughable. Just be honest and say, we know some (most?) people find this a racist mascot, but we don't care.
Appalling.
copyright
Chief Illiniwek is a legally protected University of Illinois copyright. Why is the UI not enforcing its rights. Freedom of speech does not entitle one to stage events, sell tickets, and the like while using a copyrighted image
All Hail Chief Illini!!
CHIEF ILLINI IS BACK!!!! CHIEF ILLINI IS BACK!!!! CHIEF ILLINI IS BACK!!!!
Chief Illini appeared to me in a vision last month, and said "Stanley, I will return to Assmebly Hall!!" He has kept his solemn vow.
I will now kneel and pray to Chief!
LONG LIVE CHIEF ILLINI!!!! LONG LIVE CHIEF ILLINI!!!!
PAINT THE HALL CHIEF!!!
PAINT THE HALL CHIEF!!!
PAINT THE HALL CHIEF!!!
Kaler obviously can no longer
Kaler obviously can no longer grandstand now that her superiors were caught cheating on admissions. This is quite a turnaround since Kaler belligerent attempt at SLAPPing the Next Dance Last year. Much to Kaler and De La Rosa's dismay, we just cannot seem to "move beyond" those pesky, decadent concepts like the First Amendment.
Posted by Hound No. 9
The Hounds of TASSers'ville
Get off your high horse!
I do not see how De La Rosa can say that the Next Dance shows a "lack of development on part of students at the University." Let's take a poll and see how many students would like to see the Chief come back. I'm sure that a large number would fall into that category. So if you would like to see the Chief come back, then shame on you. You have not developed into the person that De La Rosa wants you to be. I really do not care whether you support the Chief or not, but do not say things about the students (on either side) lacking development or anything of that sort. I doubt that the Chief-supporters are all a bunch of racists or intellectually degenerate etc, etc. Too many times I have heard professors talk about ideological oppression and turn around and do it themselves. Grow up.
I still feel depressed after
I still feel depressed after the Three-in-One is played during halftime at every Illinois sporting event. The Chief gave me something to be proud of at this University; he gave us an identity, something more noble than a mere collection of students.
I will be at the Next Dance and hope you will be there too.
The Chief is a symbol of
The Chief is a symbol of Pride, Tradition, Loyalty, and Excellence that our University represents of all the Native American tribes in the Illinois area, and the entire Midwest. Just as our school is still the Fighting Illini, he represents the people of Illinois. He honors those that were here first. I don't understand why people think it is offensive. Look at Florida State, their Chief Osceola rides out before football games on a horse carrying a flaming spear, dismounts the horse and plants the spear in the field. Our Chief does a traditional Sioux dance, their chief rides to war... If that isn't hostile and offensive, I don't know what is.
our University represents of all the Native American tribes
The Peoria Tribe has stated they do not consider the Chief to be an "honorable representation".
The Illini were Algonquin, not Sioux.
So you're losing your argument on at least two counts here.
I think you would be better off using your "love" to make life better for Native Americans by improving the conditions at the Pine Ridge Reservation, or by pressing the Interior Department to account for billions of Indian Trust Funds that have been looted and stolen, but somehow I get the sneaking suspicion you have an excuse for not truly engaging in issues that would improve the lives of the first citizens of this nation. You'd rather watch a white boy prance around in an unauthentic costume doing a fake dance, furthering stereotypes...
If you had attended the Next
If you had attended the Next Dance you would realize that this is precisely what the Chief supporters are trying to do. The keynote speaker at the event, "Red Knife", gave a speech about the loss of authentic Native American culture and his attempts to bring it back through his work at the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park. Many Chief supporters have already been down there and I'm sure many will follow after hearing his speech. Furthermore, proceeds from the event are being donated to him and his efforts to preserve his heritage.
In the future it would behoove you to educate yourself about the actions of SFCI before mindlessly slandering them.
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