Sioux want costume back

[PCM]

From the Chicago Tribune:

Tribe demands return of Illiniwek regalia

The Oglala Sioux Tribe today demanded the University of Illinois return the Lakota regalia worn by Chief Illiniwek, the school's controversial mascot.

In a resolution presented to the U. of I. board of trustees, the university president and the chancellor, the tribe called for the university to "cease use of this mascot."

The "Oglala regalia is being misused to represent 'Chief Illiniwek,'" and is a "disrespectful representation" of the people of the Kaskaskia, Peoria, Piankeshaw and Wea nations, according to the resolution. "The antics of persons playing 'Chief Illiniwek' perpetuates a degrading racial stereotype that reflects negatively on all American Indian people."

The American Indian Studies faculty and the staff at the Native American House at the university welcomed the resolution.

"There can be no misreading of the Oglala Sioux Resolution

[The Sicatoka]

In September 1982, Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow presented the university with the regalia

[ScottM]

In September 1982, Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow presented the university with the regalia

[The Sicatoka]

Which is precisely why the NC$$'s exemptions based on tribal "consent" are fraught with peril, tribal fancy and possible double-dealing down the road.

Ah, the whims of tribal politics, where everything is always good and righteous and pure.

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

Which is precisely why the NC$$'s exemptions based on tribal "consent" are fraught with peril, tribal fancy and possible double-dealing down the road.

Yes, all these votes and resolutions that are supposedly the expressions of the "will of the people": nobody's ever been able to give me a straight answer as to how often we're going to re-vote.

Is one vote/resolution good enough for a lifetime? Clearly not, if you buy into this argument. My Father or Grandfather or ancestor gave you this gift, but now I want it back. Because, uh, the name of your state isn't representative of the costume he gave you. Yeah, that's it. So give it back.

Wouldn't it be wild if when this guy died, his child gave it right back to the University of Illinois? And then later, another descendant could demand it back, and then maybe we'd get it back after that, and.... well, you get the picture.

But returning to the idea of the voting frequency: how about an annual vote? Change nicknames back and forth as of September, each and every year. Of course, if you go for that one, twice a year isn't so different, and then monthly, and so on.

BTW, France just heard about this. They want the Statue of Liberty back. Something about us not using Liberty the right way.

Is a flaming spear thrown into the middle of a football field really an accurate depiction of Seminole life?? Who gets to reclaim the foam rubber suit San Diego State uses? Speaking of foam rubber suits, how about that one in use at Michigan State? Along with the chariot, of course. And the sword that Tommy Trojan was slamming into the turf at the Rose Bowl? Somewhere, someone wants to reclaim that. I'd lay money that a UCLA alum of Greek descent is preparing a "demand" right now.

Make your own costume, its "inaccurate". Use one that was a gift, and "you're not using it right". Clearly, some groups just keep throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks.

This entire issue goes back to the question of who owns history. Who owns the idea of The Godfather, Mario Puzo or the entire Italian population? All those John Ford Westerns: owned by him, or the descendants of the Indians and Cowboys depicted? WWII movies? TV shows? You name it, if you use MY group I have veto power over the image in pepetuity.

Have any of Lincoln's heirs looked into that Audio-Animatronics thing at Disneyland? The Disney folks have made a fortune with that.....

[PCM]

A column from the Chicago Tribune:

Chief more than a costume

There's more to Chief Illiniwek than just a costume.

I mean that in a lot of ways.

But it also means that if the University of Illinois does return Chief Illiniwek's regalia to the Oglala Sioux Tribe

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

A column from the Chicago Tribune:

Chief more than a costume

FWLIW, Wisch has blogged several times on the Chief issue. I'll post a few other links when I can find them.

[HockeyMom]

It was just over a year ago when Raquel told me: "I've talked to tribe members and many have no problem with it (Chief Illiniwek). They said that they have a lot of other, bigger issues to deal with. Help us with alcoholism, they said. Help us with education."

That is so disheartening.

[mikeypat15]

[PCM]

Another story from the Chicago Tribune with a few more details:

Sioux to Illini: Return regalia

Tribe says attire's use is degrading

In a 1982 halftime ceremony at Memorial Stadium, a 93-year-old Oglala Sioux chief and medicine man presented the University of Illinois with tribal regalia for use by the university's mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

The university paid $3,500 for the moccasins, blanket, peace pipe pouch, breastplate and war bonnet with 90 eagle feathers, all owned by Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow, according to the university's archives.

On Thursday, Oglala Sioux tribal members, including Fools Crow's grandson, asked for it all back.

Fools Crow's grandson, Mel Lone Hill, said in a telephone interview Thursday that he was upset when his grandfather handed over the clothing because he thought it would be passed down to him.

"It's more of a family heirloom. It is a special costume that he wore. It was given to me by him, and then he borrowed and took it with him," said Lone Hill, the tribe's ceremonial chief. He said the regalia probably was made a year or two before it was turned over.

Fools Crow, who traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, died in 1989.

[HockeyMom]

The university paid $3,500 for the moccasins, blanket, peace pipe pouch, breastplate and war bonnet with 90 eagle feathers, all owned by Sioux Chief Frank Fools Crow, according to the university's archives.

Um, is he planning to buy it back from the University? Or is he just demanding that the U give it back?

[Siouxmama]

Another story from the Chicago Tribune with a few more details:

Sioux to Illini: Return regalia

Tribe says attire's use is degrading

First he "thought it would be passed down to him." Then "It was given to me by him." Sounds like two different things to me. I'[d make him pay the school back. They paid for it.

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

Um, is he planning to buy it back from the University? Or is he just demanding that the U give it back?

I'm guessing that he'll say whichever one he believes will get him the most publicity.

[HockeyMom]

I'm guessing that he'll say whichever one he believes will get him the most publicity.

My family had some land in Ireland back in the day.....that someone had promised to give to me one day, er was going to give to me. They sold it 82 years ago but I want it back now, it's mine!

[larsensa]

I was just looking at this article at the BP Amoco in Oswego, IL! I figured somebody would have it posted here.

Isn't it convenient that Fools Crow's grandson decided to wait until after his grandpa passed away to try to get the costume, etc... back that his grandpa had passed down to him?? Yeah Right!! I am pretty sure if his grandpa had wanted to pass the costume down to him GRANDPA WOULD'VE PASSED IT DOWN TO HIM RATHER THAN SELL IT TO THE UNIVERSITY IF THAT IS WHAT GRANDPA REALLY WANTED!? Right? I know, this is crazy talk because I am not supporting the PC agenda. We are supposed to feel sympathy for Fools Crow's grandson. Imagine violin music playing in the background as they talk about how difficult it is for Fools Crow's grandson to deal with the UofI stealing this family heirloom from him that his grandfather sold to the UofI! :-) Everyone will miss that the grandfather sold it because they will make the grandson out to be a victim. I am sure the coverage will be fair of this situation, especially if the Illini say forget it or if they say, okay, we will SELL it to you. The UofI will be demonized by the media for sure.

I am a bit suspicious of the amount the Illini said they paid for the costume? $3500? That amount 24 years ago is quite a bit of dough for a costume like that isn't it? That is besides the point though.

If the Illini do SELL it back to the grandson I think they should add inflation and interest to the charge. That costume is probably worth $50K if you add those additional costs?

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

My family had some land in Ireland back in the day.....that someone had promised to give to me one day, er was going to give to me. They sold it 82 years ago but I want it back now, it's mine!

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. The story is long, long ago one of the first land purchases my family made was virtually a swamp. You know the story: too many children and a small parcel of real estate, the land was sold shortly after the original purchasers died. Of course, that land is now nearly directly underneath the intersection of two interstates near Chicago.

[BleedGrn]

This is all possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard/read/witnessed... I would be embarrassed to be asking for the regalia back. Is it just me, or are these people playing the role of the spoiled child...

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

Here's the latest: the tribe may have lost their religious symbol, the eagle feathers:

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=323756

I find it interesting that they're certain that they didn't get the feathers, but they can't quite pin down the date of a man's death-someone who died within the last 15 years, BTW. Personally, I couldn't trust their record-keeping system but thats just my viewpoint.

[HockeyMom]

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=323756

I like the quote after the article.....

Posted by some anonymous person at 8:18AM on Saturday, 1/20/07

As the Grandaughter of a Native American I am [roud of Chief Illiniweks performances. They are niether lude or disrespectful of our brave ancestors.. H e is much more honorable than the many casinos that plunder our nation.

[SoCalSiouxFan]

Which is precisely why the NC$$'s exemptions based on tribal "consent" are fraught with peril, tribal fancy and possible double-dealing down the road.

[siouxnanigans]

My two cents....

while I don't like seeing stories like this, it's really hard to argue against their wanting the Illini to stop using their uniform and them as a mascot. It might not be right. It might not be fair. It might not make sense but we really can't sit back and tell them that their feelings are wrong.

[Diggler]

They can want as much as their little hearts desire, but that doesn't mean they should automatically get their way. The costume was given to Illinois, it now belongs to them.

[Sioux-cia]

This may already be posted but I'm to tired to look.

http://www.chiefilliniwek.org/phoenix/library/foolscrow.htm

[Siouxman]

I guess that I am one who would somewhat go against the flow here. I don't know that I would give the outfit back, but I can certainly understand the feeling of disrespect by having a white person doing a Native American dance that has significance and meaning to the tribe. I support the Fighting Sioux name, but I am opposed to the use of "imitation" mascots such as at Illinois and Florida State. To me that is a major difference between UND and Illinois and Florida State. UND does not use a mascot.

Maybe the tribe(s) would be willing to supply a Native American dancer, trained in the dance and fully aware of its significance. That could be an alternative. If Illinois decides to retire their chief, they could maybe put the outfit on display in a significant and respectful manner, with descriptions of the meaning of each of the components as well as a history of Illinois as the Illini.

Just my two cents.

[Chief Illiniwek Supporter]

After all the publicity, it turns out that the tribe had the feathers all along.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/c...ocalchicago-hed

I can't tell anyone else anything about their religious beliefs; but I'd think most people would know where their sacred objects are at all times, rather than go around screaming that they'd been taken and they want them back. This would kind of make me think the whole thing was about publicity and nothing else.

I guess that I am one who would somewhat go against the flow here. I don't know that I would give the outfit back, but I can certainly understand the feeling of disrespect by having a white person doing a Native American dance that has significance and meaning to the tribe.

A lot of people have thrown in the "religious" aspect to the dance. But OTOH, others have pointed out that you can travel to Indian reservations and by paying a fee, you not only can observe the dance (which doesn't seem to bother the actual Native Americans performing it, who don't mention religion) but also actually participate in the dancing too. Also, very often you will see Pow-Wow's in the Chicago area that feature fancy dancing competitions, with no claim that it is a religious rite at all. These types of things tend to confuse the issue for those who claim our dance is a mockery of Native American religious rituals. As one person wrote; every time I drink wine, its not a mockery of the Catholic faith.

I support the Fighting Sioux name, but I am opposed to the use of "imitation" mascots such as at Illinois and Florida State. To me that is a major difference between UND and Illinois and Florida State. UND does not use a mascot.

By definition, mascots are all "imitiations". The Spartans, the Aztecs, the Irish, the Trojans; all of them are imitation. Personally, I would feel better if everyone was treated equally.

Maybe the tribe(s) would be willing to supply a Native American dancer, trained in the dance and fully aware of its significance. That could be an alternative. If Illinois decides to retire their chief, they could maybe put the outfit on display in a significant and respectful manner, with descriptions of the meaning of each of the components as well as a history of Illinois as the Illini.

The first Chief Illiniwek actually traveled to a reservation-perhaps one in the North Dakota area-to learn about the dance. And others may also have done so, but its not mentioned anywhere so I won't claim it has been done since.

FWLIW, for many years (probably at least twenty, and maybe more) the outfit was on display in our Student Union. But one year for our homecoming game, the Chief Illiniwek haters went thru our Campustown business district and broke every window that had a Chief Illiniwek painted on it. The painted symbols were put their by students to promote spirit in advance of the homecoming game, but that was part of a "crime" to the haters. The end justifies any means to these people. So the outfit has been taken off display. Its hard to compromise with extremists; its been tried and they won't accept anything but the elimination of Chief; and several of them want the nickname changed also. The NCAA pronouncement won't persuade them otherwise. We even had an old-fashioned 1960's era sit-in a few years back (perhaps 2004 or 2005). Our Board of Trustees has explored compromise on more than one occasion and finally came to the conclusion that it was impossible.