Fight not over for foes of the Chief

After Chief Illiniwek walks off the basketball court with raised and folded arms for the final time this evening, supporters and opponents aren't expected to go quietly into the night.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees, whose chairman, Lawrence Eppley, announced Friday that the Chief would retire from performing at athletic games, may have reached a consensus on the 81-year-old Illiniwek tradition, but the campus community, particularly those who have advocated for the Chief's removal, is not expected to declare the issue resolved.

"We've always said over the years removing the Chief is simply the first step to addressing deeper issues," said Aaron Smith, co-coordinator with the Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative at the UI.

When Vernon Burton, UI history professor and chairman of the UI Senate, addressed his fellow faculty members Monday afternoon, he said that although many faculty have wanted for years to see Chief Illiniwek go, they should try to be sympathetic to those who love the Chief and who are upset about the board's decision.

"At the same time, let's understand that we have not been redeemed; we are not saved and purified. The issues that plague our society and are part of campus life across the country are still with us," he said.

Members of the anti-Chief movement are not planning any protests or rallies to mark tonight's occasion. As UI student Reem Rahman said, "This is an immense decision, which deeply affects all people on all sides. It looks to me like people are sitting back and watching it unfold."

Since Friday's announcement, colleagues and friends of John McKinn, an assistant director at the UI's Native American House, have been coming up to him and asking, "How do I feel, and am I happy?"

"I don't feel happy about this decision, mostly because the university and the board of trustees has decided to recognize the NCAA executive committee policy (regarding American Indian imagery and mascots) and not the humanity of American Indian people," said McKinn, a Maricopa Indian and member of the Gila River Indian Community. "It's very frustrating that the mascot was retired under those circumstances."

"The university missed a moment to bring campus together and claim and take responsibility on this issue. But the way the decision came down, it's polarized the campus and you can feel this tension in the air. ... (It's) further made it more of a divisive campus," McKinn said.

The UI issued a press release and several documents Friday announcing the decision, and Eppley met individually with members of the media rather than hold a press conference or similar event.

It's not clear what's going to happen with the UI's trademark rights to the name Chief Illiniwek, the right to portray Chief Illiniwek and the logo. And that's got quite a few concerned.

"Even though the dance ends Wednesday, a lot of issues are still going to linger," Smith said. "There are a lot of unknowns with the trademark: Will the UI transfer that to a group who will use the image all over campus?" he asked.

"Will its use keep mascot symbolism alive? If so, that's never going to end the situation of racism down there," said Joe Podlasek, executive director of the American Indian Center of Chicago.

University officials have said attorneys are reviewing trademark laws and no decision has been made about the logo. A group of graduates who have portrayed Chief Illiniwek have requested the university transfer the trademark to them.

Podlasek said he's tempted to discuss the issue with members of the center's board as well as with the Native American House about how and whether or not the organizations would want to request the trademark rights.

"If and when the board of trustees is to move forward on this issue with the logo, they need to invite the American Indian Center and the Native American House to the table for discussion," McKinn said.

Podlasek said he believes what was "hugely disappointing" was the university's decision to end Chief Illiniwek "was clearly driven by NCAA and athletics. For years, from when Charlene Teters started protesting, they (UI administrators) haven't listened to a race of people they say they want to honor."

But "tremendous progress has been made," Podlasek said. The campus has increased cultural education and he hopes one of the next steps is to "indigenize" the campus by bringing more minority students, faculty and staff to campus.

"A change in the environment is vital," he said.

And the campus needs to have an honest dialogue about race, McKinn said, but he's not sure campus is ready for such a dialogue.

"I think the campus and the community at least has the vocabulary if not the knowledge to have a conversation about diversity, but it doesn't have the vocabulary or knowledge to talk about white privilege," he said.

Earlier this month, students organized a forum on racism, power and privilege at Foellinger Auditorium to question university administrators and voice their opinions about Chief Illiniwek and other issues. They presented the administration with a list of what needed to happen to better the campus climate. Among the demands: amend the student code to address hate crimes; provide a monthly public report detailing hate crimes and other acts of violence on campus; and have an aggressive plan to recruit and retain tenure-track faculty, staff and administrators, and undergraduate and graduate students, from minority populations.

"One of our first demands calls for unconditional removal of the Chief, the entire logo and iconography," said Reem Rahman, one of the student organizers.

The students have requested the university not only address their demands, but set timetables for doing so.

On Thursday they expect to hear back from the university, and the students will discuss the next steps at an event at the African American Cultural Center.

"It's not one person's problem. The challenges facing us are everybody's," Rahman said. "Let's work so we have a true community where students don't feel threatened."

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