Springfield, Illinois
Dance By Governor's Aides
Angers Indian Community
by Christopher Wills
(AP) - A spokesman for Gov. Jim Edgar has denied that a
performance of the Chief Illiniwek dance by two of Edgar's aides
was a racist parody of American Indian dances.
Edgar press secretary Mike Lawrence denied any racist
intent in the actions of gubernatorial aides Gary Mack and Jim
Skilbeck. Lawrence said neither aide would lose his job.
A leader of an American Indian group on Wednesday, May 8,
demanded the aides' resignations. He called their actions "racially
slanderous."
The incident took place May 4 at a charity auction held in
Champaign by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. Mack, an
Edgar press aide, performed the dance, which is done at sports
events by University of Illinois mascot Chief Illiniwek. Skilbeck,
who arranges Edgar's public appearances, pounded out the beat for
the dance.
Lawrence said the aides were sorry anyone was offended. But
the administration doesn't see the dance as racist, he said.
"We view it as an act that apparently offended some
people," he said. "We're not going to fire trusted aides to the
governor over something they may have done inadvertently."
"My understanding is that (the dance) wasn't a parody," he
added. "Gary Mack learned the dance from Chief Illiniwek while he
was over at the University of Illinois."
He said the administration would "convey to the Indian
community the regrets of the two aides."
But Don Messec, regional coordinator for the American
Indian Midwest Alliance, said he wasn't satisfied.
"We're asking for Gary Mack and Jim Skilbeck's
resignation," he said. "We're asking for a formal, public apology."
He wouldn't say whether Edgar should fire the aides. He
said they should be treated as state employees would be treated if
they mimicked Jews or blacks.
Messec and other members of the group discussed the
incident with Arnold Kanter, Edgar's chief counsel, at a meeting
Tuesday. They also discussed the group's opposition to the state's
Dickson Mounds museum, where Indian remains are on display.
Messec said the group would file a complaint with the state
Human Rights Department and perhaps take the issue to federal
officials.
"They think this is over. It's just started," he said. "We
will drag them through every inch of mud we can find."
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Michele Lord * Walk in Peace with
(milo@scicom.alphacdc.com) * our Mother Earth
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