Mascot News
Not Our Mascot Rally
September 24, 2009
Date: October 2, 2009
Location: UIUC Assembly Hall
(1800 S. 1st Street, Champaign, IL)
Time: 6:00pm Rally Before the ‘Next Dance’
7:00pm Press Release & Coalition Speakers
7:30pm Open Mic
8:15pm Rally After the ‘Next Dance’
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign retired "Chief Illiniwek" as its official symbol in February of 2007. However, this has not stopped student organizations such as the Students for Chief Illiniwek (SFCI) from using the name and imagery of the "Chief":
Last year, the SFCI hosted a similar performance on November 15, 2008. Here is a link to some of the media coverage from last year’s "Next Dance."
This year, a group of students has been meeting to plan a protest of this year’s "Next Dance." We will host a rally at 6:00 p.m., one hour before the "Next Dance." We will issue a press release with speakers from our coalition at 7:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., we will host an open mic. At 8:15 p.m., we will conclude with a rally as spectators are exiting Assembly Hall.
We humbly ask for your support in protesting this awful display of racism and ignorance on our campus. We hope that you are able to write letters to University administrators, attend the protest on October 2nd, spread the word about our protest, and/or contact the Students for Chief Illiniwek to discourage them from hosting the event. If you are able to show support in other ways, we would also greatly appreciate that.
Here are contacts for the University of Illinois and Students for Chief Illiniwek:
- Chancellor Richard Herman, Office of the Chancellor, 317 Swanlund Admin M/C 304, 601 E. John St., Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 333-6290
- Vice Chancellor Renee Romano, 120 Swanlund M/C 304, 601 E. John St., Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 333-1300
- Board of Trustees, Board of Trustees Office, 352 Henry Admin M/C 350, 506 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 333-1920
- Students for Chief Illiniwek President: Elyse Eilts
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minstrel:
a member of a band of entertainers with blackened faces who perform songs and music ostensibly of black American origin.
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French menestral ‘entertainer, servant,’ via Provençal from late Latin ministerialis ‘servant’ (see ministerial ).
Resources on American Indian Mascots
Footage from 2008's "next dance"
LAND OF THE CHIEF/ HOME OF MODERN BLACKFACE MINSTRELSY: SAMSON RAPHAELSON’S STORIES AND OURS, by Professor David Roediger, UIUC
From Looney Coons to Tacos & Tequila: The Aesthetics of Race in Middle Class America, Presented by Professor James D. Anderson, UIUC
PETITION available
More News About the Mascot Controversy
::
American Indian Studies statement on the October 2 event at Assembly Hall
:: Hate Crimes at UIUC: Native American Art Vandalized for Fifth Time
:: History of Vandalized Exhibit
:: Meet the Chief . . .
:: Department of History Supports Removal of the Chief
:: "chief" illiniwek's "Next Dance" at UIUC's Assembly Hall set for November 15, 2008
:: Native American House / American Indian Studies Statement on November 15 Event