RIP Chief Illiniwek

You could be forgiven for never having heard of Chief Illiniwek. He may not be making a splash on either coast, but the controversy around him has captured the attention of many in the middle. Much of Illinois was educated at its local state college where, for the last 81 graduating classes, its Native American mascot Chief Illiniwek has supposedly honored native heritage in the state.

That streak, however, came to a rightful end when the University of Illinois retired the figure in February. Chief Illiniwek, portrayed by a student in buckskin clothes and face paint, is a racist symbol of older, less understanding times. At least seven Native American groups, local and national, have lobbied to eliminate him. The documentary “In Whose Honor?” traces one activist’s fight against Illinois’ “degrading depictions” of her fellow Native Americans.

Yet traditionalists cling tight to their retired mascot. To them, Chief Illiniwek is an honorable part of the state’s identity. But there are certainly more productive ways to honor natives than a cheap caricature that rolls every Native American stereotype into one.

With his feathers and war paint, the chief’s minstrel show encourages the childish perception of Native Americans as uncivilized, reducing them to a ridiculous archetype. His performance also featured a “traditional” dance that was actually exaggerated for the crowd’s benefit. When Native American ways are embellished or altered to entertain the masses, the descriptor “Jim Crow” leaps to mind sooner than “honor.”

But even if the University of Illinois trotted out a modern Native American in civilian clothes, he would still be objectified. Sports franchises employ people of all races as mascots, but the sticking point is very rarely race itself. In the end, the University of Illinois wants a Native American for its own amusement—solely because he is a Native American. That is racist.

The NCAA realized as much when it told the University of Illinois in 2005 that it could not host playoff games until Chief Illiniwek was retired. The school complied—until last month’s homecoming parade, where it allowed chief-decorated floats. Since the NCAA’s ultimatum applied only to athletic events, the parade allowed the university to weasel its way out of the restriction. It is outrageous that Illinois is undercutting its official stance by trying to have it both ways. Racism cannot be compromised; it’s one or the other for a reason.

The university defended itself with an appeal to free speech. But although the parade was public, it was obviously a school event. Its floats reflected on Illinois, so it had the right (and duty) to regulate the event’s message. The administration would probably have vetoed a swastika—so why not Chief Illiniwek?

But the University of Illinois is not alone. Native Americans have had to endure insult from even higher-profile teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, and Atlanta Braves all mock Native Americans with their names and “traditions.” The Indians’ mascot, Chief Wahoo, comes complete with a red face and dopey smile. Clearly offensive emblems like this are only accepted because they are taken for granted.

It would be a powerful statement for those teams, and the University of Illinois, to stop living in the past. Inexplicably, prejudice against Native Americans still abounds in ways that our society has condemned in the abstract. Long overdue is the realization that Native Americans are not America’s peculiar toy to jerk around—they are a people as distinctive as any. It may not correct the massive injustices dealt to Native Americans in the past, but the death of Chief Illiniwek will at least afford them basic respect.



Nathaniel S. Rakich ’10, a Crimson editorial editor, lives in Cabot House.