RIP: Chief Illiniwek

I think it's terrible. My mom is an Illini alum and is pretty passionate about this tradition. Apparently the native americans have supported this tradition and they don't make a mockery out of it. It's a very serious and honored tradition at Illinois and it's a shame to see it go. What next, are they going to make us rename the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskings, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, etc?

As a Redskins fan I'm beggin' for a name change. Sheesh! Redskins how derogitroy could you get (the scalpers maybe?). It's hight time for a change. I feel sorry saying I'm a Redskins fan. I usually try to say "I root for Washington."
 
Where does this end? The state name Illinois is a native american name. Should it be replaced? How about Iowa? Should I be upset that Dallas has the nickname the Cowboys? Will PETA come after the bears, lions, or seahawks? I don't think of teams nicknames as being disrespectful but a source of pride for a group of students and fans.

Native Americans have been demonized for centuries as unintelligent savages so how can you blame them for wanting to shed this image? It’s their tribe and their name. If they don’t like being represented in a certain way why should we say no?

I can’t believe how many people cry over their sports teams when they have to change their names to something less controversial. Its sports, who cares what you team is called; they are still the same.
 
Native Americans have been demonized for centuries as unintelligent savages so how can you blame them for wanting to shed this image? It’s their tribe and their name. If they don’t like being represented in a certain way why should we say no?
The question is what happens when only a minority of their group wants it changed and the majority is proud that this represents their heritage.
 
As a Redskins fan I'm beggin' for a name change. Sheesh! Redskins how derogitroy could you get (the scalpers maybe?). It's hight time for a change. I feel sorry saying I'm a Redskins fan. I usually try to say "I root for Washington."

My highschool mascot is the Savages that is pretty bad and they haven't had to change yet.

Also on the topic of natural disasters I remember in the 05' season one of the guys on ESPN (I think Holtz) talking about how it is a terrible thing that a school has a natural disaster as a mascot and how they should have to change their names.
 
Well I'm sure we can rehash the irony that is the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, and not allowing the Illinois mascot to come to Ia City.

I agree, DaddyM. Where are the PC types in Iowa City when you need them? After all. didn't Hawkeye kill Indians, er Native Americans, er those folks that crossed the Bering strait land bridge during an ice age? Is Herky an endangered species? Or will his bird disguise save him?
 
Yes Sioux City Morningside used to be the Morningside Cheifs and now they are the Mustangs. It was tough and alot of the Alumni were irritated.

And just what about the poor defames animals asosicated with schools. Is not PETA going to say Mustangs are being abused. The safest names are inanimate objects like Morningside Pencil Heads or the Doan Dirtclods. We are worrying about nother. More Moiuntain out of Molehills NCAA style. Lucky for us we are Cyclones. We are safe for forty more years.
 
Actually, isn't Hawkeye in reference to a Chief Black Hawk?

So how is Iowa any different than the schools they won't compete against like Bradley and such? Their mascot is of Native American origin. Oops can I say Iowa? That's a ice-bridge_crosser reference too. Oh dear - I said it again..... The Knights who say Nee, have spoken...

Either way, the point stands.

Yet another case of the "Do as I say, not as I do" mentality.
 
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Actually, isn't Hawkeye in reference to a Chief Black Hawk?

The Hawkeye State: This popular nickname for the state of Iowa is said to have come from the scout, Hawkeye, in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, published in 1826. According to the Iowa State web site, "Two Iowa promoters from Burlington are believed to have popularized the name." The nickname was given approval by "territorial officials" in 1838, twelve years after the book was published and eight years before Iowa became a state.
The two men responsible for the promotion of this nickname are thought to be Judge David Rorer of Burlington and the newspaper publisher, James G. Edwards of Fort Madison and, later, Burlington. Burlington had been established in 1833 after the Black Hawk War of 1832. Mr. Edwards changed the name of his Burlington newspaper, The Iowa Patriot, to The Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot in tribute to his friend Chief Black Hawk. Judge Rorer is said to have suggested "The Hawkeye State" after finding the name in The Last of the Mohicans while Mr. Edwards proposed the nickname "Hawk-eyes" in 1838 to "...rescue from oblivian [sic] a momento [sic], at least of the name of the old chief," Black Hawk.



LINK
 
History of nickname
Tyler Nielsen invented Iowa Football nearly 100 years before his birth. The University borrowed its athletic nickname from the state of Iowa (also known as the Hawkeye State) many years ago. The state of Iowa acquired the nickname, chiefly through the efforts of Judge David Rorer of Burlington and James G. Edwards of Fort Madison.

Burlington had been established in 1833 after the Black Hawk War of 1832. Mr. Edwards proposed the nickname "Hawk-eyes" in 1838 to "...rescue from oblivion a memento, at least of the name of the old chief," Black Hawk. Edwards, editor of the Fort Madison Patriot, moved his newspaper to Burlington in 1843 and renamed it the Burlington Hawkeye in tribute to his friend Chief Black Hawk.

The two men continued their campaign to popularize the name and were rewarded when territorial officials gave it their formal approval."

Link


Hee hee, even Iowa doesn't know how they got their name.....:wink0st:
 
Don't let the Blue Devils or Demon Deacons out of this discussion. How can a "Christian" society allow this pagan worship.
 
You people draw some messed up parallels. Has anyone here ever seen the "traditional" Native American dance performed by Chief Illiniwek? It's like the most rediculous collection of stereotypical Indian poses set to music. It's performed by students who have no Native American heritage. The only legitamate part of the act is the outfit which is traditional, however, it is traditional garb for a Chief who must earn the outfit and title. That might be the biggest slap in the face of all; the fact that the clothing of the most respected member of a tribe is put on by a student and pranced around the stadium for entertinment. The descendants of the Illini tribe (who were moved from Illinois in the 1700's) do not apporve of the mascot and have picketed outside events because of it.

Look. I realize most of you are joking, but it's not funny to millions of people in this country. This is the University of Illinois finally doing something they should have done decades ago. If you seriously can't see why the Washington "Redskins" is offensive to some people then you've got a very narrow view of the world.

There's a documentary called "In Whose Honor" that deals specifically with Chief Illiniwek.
 
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When something that has been a symbol and a source of identity for a school for this long is taken away by an outside group, it is really hard to replace.
OK, now think about it from the perspective of an American Indian whose tribe's symbols and sources of identity were taken from them by an outside group 80 years ago. Whose tradition is it really?

Not to mention the fact that the dress or dance is not traditional for the Illini people (the headress, etc is based on something they bought from the Lakota) and I'm struggling to see where the "honoring the tribe" is supposed to come from.
 
What about the "Fighting Irish"?!? Are any drunk Irishmen offended about that mascot? Hell no! They/We( i am of irish decent) love it(not the uniiversity of ND itself, just the logo).
 
Am I the only one naive enough to believe that when an institition picked a mascot or nickname that they were proud of there decision. Do you think that their thought process was, what would be offensive?
 
Am I the only one naive enough to believe that when an institition picked a mascot or nickname that they were proud of there decision. Do you think that their thought process was, what would be offensive?

Not at all, but I'm guessing none of them were capable of being offended by it. I see you're point, I'm sure they did intend for it to be honorable, but if the people that it is intended to honor do not feel the same way then it seems like it was a decision that was not considered from all angles.
 
Hell ya! I am of irish decent and while I don't particularly like Notre Dame, I have no problem with the name "Fighting Irish". I think most Native Americans also do not have a problem with names like Seminoles etc., but you just need one fanatic to ruin it for everybody.
 
I think most Native Americans also do not have a problem with names like Seminoles etc., but you just need one fanatic to ruin it for everybody.

2 comments on that topic.

1) I believe the Seminole nation gets a nice little gratuity from FSU for use of "Seminoles". Take that any way you'd like.

2) Ever notice that usually a healthy portion of those "fanatics" - have no business being offended? More to the point, that very often those who are offended are White? And as I said earlier, take it upon themselved to become the PC police and tell others they should be offended...

I'll listen to a Native American person, or a Black person, or a Jewish person tell me that something offends them. But all too often, those aren't the people at the mic...
 
I'm willing to bet that it's not so much that the Native Americans are offended that their names are being used by institutions and pro sports. They're offended that institutions are reaping large sums of $$$ by using the Native American names and images and that these said tribes are not receiving a cut of the profits.

In my opinion, yes, it all comes down to the almighty buck.