The news story is basically three snippets of interviews of elders of
the Peoria tribe, in Oklahoma; the Peoria are the descendents of the
tribe identified as the "Illinois" or "Illini" by the French. Chief Don
Giles and two other tribal leaders made it clear that they see absolutely
no problem with having a mascot called "Chief Illiniwek" or a team called
the "Fighting Illini." They do see this as an honor.
In fact, they were derisive and even insulting about protests of the "Chief,"
and at one point one said something to the effect of, "If the Chief creates
a 'hostile learning environment,' that's the fault of the person who sees
the environment as hostile--and they're in trouble to begin with, then."
The leaders further maintained that the only ones who have the right to say
anything about the University's use of "Illini" and "Illiniwek" are them-
selves, since they are the descendents of the tribe represented.
Interestingly, they were not at all bothered by the inaccurate historical
representation of having an Illini/Peoria dressed in Lakota clothing and
doing a gymnastic dance not at all resembling any traditional Indian dance.
Their reasoning was that the University was not trying to show an accurate
historical picture, so it was okay.
Now, my reaction here: obviously, I can't say the Peoria leaders are wrong
in their own tolerance of the mascot; if they don't mind, that's their right.
But in a way, because the "Chief" is so inaccurately depicted, I think that
does give others the right to comment and criticize, since the Univ. has
created an image for him that is based on Hollywood stereotypes (even down
to the music he dances to). So the "Chief" really is "Illini" in name
only, and is otherwise a generic Injun--which means that anyone concerned
about how Indians are represented has the "right" to make their views known,
I think.
The Peoria support of the "Chief" does complicate the issue, however, since
it gives the Univ. all sorts of arguments about how Indian people don't
mind, etc. etc. I hate to admit this, but the Peoria support probably means
the "Chief" will stay in place--unless Joe Gone and the other students win
their suit against the University regarding the creation of a hostile learning
environment.
Oddly, the story did mention that the Peoria elders had never seen the image
of Chief Illiniwek before the reporter asked them about it. I wonder if
they would think the same way if they saw his picture on boxer shorts and
toilet paper....
So what do others think about this?
Jim Postema
postema@cobber.cord.edu