I don't think you people have any idea the love and respect the Illini fans have for the chief. I have been an Illini fan all of my life and sorely miss the chief. How would you feel if your tradition was banned? This wasn't some sick joke. As you can see by the video, we loved our chief with passion and respected him and the Illini tribe more then you crybabies can imagine. It doesn't matter who portrayed the chief. It's the symbolism that matters. The Illini were respected enough to be made a MAJOR university's mascot and school symbol. This in no way discriminated against Indians in any way. We miss you chief... CHIEEEEEEEEFFF!!!
My mom went there and I’ve been to a few games despite living in Wisconsin. I used to care about them a lot more when they were amazing back in the mid 2000s, but watching him get emotional made me emotional.
@@jeffreygao3956progress? Not sure you understand progress. Progress for people on the left is believing a man is a woman and they should be able to use the bathroom of their choice. That’s what the slippery slope of identity politics has progressed to.
I agree that the Chief dance should be kept in retirement. I can understand its offense to some. HOWEVER, I still to this day don't understand why the chief logo can't still be used by Illinois. It is literally the coolest in sports. That in itself should not be viewed as offensive, but in my opinion is a symbol of respect that can be celebrated!
The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma are the closest living descendants of the Illiniwek Confederacy, having been relocated to Oklahoma in the 19th century. The position of the tribal leadership has evolved over the years. In a television interview with WICD-TV in 1995, Don Giles, then Chief of the Peoria Tribe, said, "To say that we are anything but proud to have these portrayals would be completely wrong. We are proud. We're proud that the University of Illinois, the flagship university of the state, a seat of learning, is drawing on that background of our having been there. And what more honor could they pay us?" Supporting Chief Giles was another tribal elder, Ron Froman, who stated that the protesters "don't speak for all Native Americans, and certainly not us.
Mind you, the Chief of the Peoria Tribe may be heavily bashed and censured for those comments. Not everyone in the Peoria Tribe will agree with him, just because the chief says it, doesn't make it the majority view among his tribe.
The University of Illinois should have paid the Peoria Tribe something. Apparently, it works for Florida State, whose Seminole portrays Native Americans in an infinitely worse light than Chief Illiniwek. I will say, though, that the FSU football team's success was such that the NCAA would never have the guts to take them on.
Grew up with the chief, had season tickets as a kid to both football at Memorial Stadium and basketball in Assembly hall. We had great seats and it was amazing, ended up choosing this as my college and was an amazing ride. Will never contribute a dime to my Alma Matter because they got rid of him.
Saddens me my kids will never know this in person. They will never feel the spirit the Chief ushers in, be able to grow up reverencing what he stands for, and be proud to be an alum. Illini sports and the entire U of I lost their identity that day and have never gained it back. Hail to the Chief!
I am using my friends account. As an American Indian (Miami Tribe) I find nothing objectionable to this portrayal of American Indians. This is just my take, and you are welcome to disagree. But I must say, the portrayal of Chief Illiniwek does reasonable justice to Indian culture. As for the folded arms, I believe it is a gesture of dignity. As for the dancing, particularly the kicking, I find it suitable to Indian culture and celebratory pow wows! Too bad there wasn't multiple chiefs to better portray Indian culture, but I understand the use of a singular chieftain. And I don't mean to misapply or justify all instances of human emotion, but the tears on the fans faces showed a genuine respect for the American Indian, particularly the Chief.
The Chief was in my fraternity when I was at UoF in the early 80's so I knew a lot about the tradition -- that said, they should've made The Chief a scholarship position for a Native American student only, AND make a Native American Studies class mandatory for graduation. WIN. WIN. Too bad they didn't have that foresight and gave the tradition up
I have to say that I'm not an Illini fan but a Boilermaker Fan and watching this again is bringing me to tears again as it did it on that night which was my Dad's Birthday and it broke him down to tears as well as he was an Illini fan also! That said I still don't understand how is it that Florida St still uses Chief Osceola but the Illini can't!
The Chief represented what is best about the University of Illinois, and was sacrificed for no better reason than political correctness. It is really a shame, as all Illini I know have great memories of the Chief, who frequently rallied the football and basketball teams at crucial moments during time outs.
@@jeffreygao3956 dang chill out. You really just came here to hate on the Chief. You must be one of the guys who wanted to gte rid of him because he was "offensive" but really he was just fine and a Native American student. Also a symbol of the University of Illinois. And how would you know it was offensive if you aren't even Native American. Stop speaking for other people when you don't even know what they think. So shut your little offended self away. And btw Native American people enjoyed Chief Illiniwek.
I was a young teenager when I first saw Chief Illiniwek dance on t.v. during a football game. I was so moved, I looked him up and what I found is the basis of my argument against ending his dance. I found the team name, Illini, and the state name Illinois come from the Native Illini Nation. They dominated most of the Midwest. It was a great nation, a federation of tribes. The Peorias were one. The Midwest has a lot of these tribes names. I wouldn't have known without seeing the Chief dance.
We just studied about this topic in my humanities class. Honestly, I looked at this clip over and over and I saw nothing that showed disrespect to the culture. The Chief Illiniwek was a mascot that did a traditional university dance. The dance was not in poor taste at all.
The chief is an integral part of the Illini culture. He will never come back because of the new standards this country has but he was something every Illini will hold in their heart
Florida State has permission from the Seminole Tribe of Florida to use Chief Osceola as a symbol of their university. Maybe Illinois could ask permission to bring back their chief with tribal oversight.
I grew up almost under memorial stadium & assembly hall shadows near Hessle park. I also remember him coming to Bottenfield grade school as a kid. The Chief was more than a mascot. He represented the entire Illini nation of central Illinois. The entire community was built around him in many ways. When we allow a few to ruin great tradition then we really must not care for the protection of said tradition. If everyone wanted to bring him back,it could be done. Simply don't support the university.
I mean yeah, I think that’s how most people outside of the university bureaucracy felt. It wasnt some silly, goof mascot jumping around that people pointed and laughed at. It was a tradition and people treated it with a lot of respect and reverence. But it’s dead and gone
I cant resist myself from adding our fans have never needed the motivation to get "riled" up....were riled up before we get there. We have one of the best fan bases in the nation. Bet on that.
Give me a damn break!! Growing up in the Champaign-Urbana area, I have seen the Chief dance many times. There is no stereotyping here. Chief Illiniwek is honoring the Native American who once walked on this vary land. When the Chief came out to do the dance, everyone stood out of respect. The only ones who didn't stand where the modern day Native Americans who the Chief is honoring. Shame on you University of Illinois for taking away the honorable symbol of the great state of Illinois.
It is my understanding that the University was pressured by the NCAA with the threat that the NCAA would not allow tournament games to be played at the school. For example, back in 2015 (or was it 2016?), the baseball team was highly ranked and made the NCAA tournament and was the site for one of the 16 regionals, and then for one of the 8 super-regionals (because the team advanced). If the Chief had still been dancing, the baseball team would have had to travel. So, the Athletic Department may have lobbied the Administration to cave in to the NCAA. Still, the University had been getting pressured for years and conceded on a few things. It was probably just a matter of time, but it is too bad the University didn't show some backbone.
Unfortunately, that will never happen, because people are more familiar with the sad state of the Seminole tribe, so it's seen as a symbol of respect. Ironically, the Illini tribes were forced west by the conquering Iroquois, their Grand Village destroyed, and yet honoring their memory with a symbol was seen as a symbol of hate.
Because you know so much. Maybe native Americans should consult you. Natives these days don't even know there own history.....quite frankly they don't even care. They are for the most part just a bunch of lazy non working drunks living tax free in squalor and looking for handouts from the white man.....or the reservation casino. we kicked there ass and look their land. Big deal. Not the first time or the last time that's happened in history to a group of people. The strong live and thrive the weak do not. They have nobody to blame but themselves. The sad part is some fucking crybabys made the university get rid of the Chief. The school... the state ....several forests. Cities... counties . rivers ECT all pay tribute by carrying native names. So I guess we should rename everything too? What a joke.
As a life long Illini fan and Illinois native and as a descendant of the Hopi Indian Tribe….taking away Chief was a travesty for this university! This entire video made me bawl my eyes out! It’s not the same without Chief Illiniwek
You know what's sad, the NCAA nor the Universities gained anything from getting rid of the Native American mascots. The North Dakota Fighting Sioux still sell out on all Sioux merchandise. Chief memorabilia from the U of I still sells out instantly on places like Amazon and Ebay. These mascots served as a traditional symbol for universities for generations of alumni and students. Mosts still honor and cherish these symbols of victory and tradition. In fact most still support Native American representation in sports. So for the NCAA to go in and say these universities are being 'aggressive and hostile' is completely arbitrary, untrue and false. I grew up in Champaign all my life, grew up around the University. went to all the season home games for basketball and football. I watched the Chief doing the honorary traditional Native American dance at every halftime. The Chief is the most iconic symbol for me personally and as a fan of the Illini. I'm extremely upset that the U of I student heads have voted a bird as a our next proposed mascot. No way in hell will orange and blue bird replace The Chief. Hail to the Chief Forever!!!
As an alum, I agree completely. I went to every football & basketball game for 4 years in the 70’s & usually left after half time. The university WAS the only heir named in my trust (no kids) but I changed it after this decision. They’ve received not one dime from me since and most of my classmates have done the same.
I have season tickets to illini football and chief showed up at halftime in the student section and the entire stadium went crazy. He was escorted out and arrested. I miss chief.
Travis Galle No one ever forced us (WVians) off of our land, ethnically cleansed us, and tried to wipe out our culture. You're better off without Illiniwek. He looks like a goofy antiquated symbol from a long gone era, that people cling to without reason.
The University of Illinois is one of the most distinguished universities in the country. The nickname and mascot acknowledge local area history and the people who used to live on this land, less they be forgotten. Just as West Virginia and Appalachian State do with their nickname and mascots. There is absolutely no reason why Chief Illiniwek should have been banned.
I really really miss the Chief. He was special. There was and is nothing else like the 3 in 1 with him dancing in all of college sports. Long live Chief Illiniwek.
Chief Illiniwek is a time-honored symbol of the University of Illinois and the State of Illinois' most visible representation of its Native heritage. Chief Illiniwek proudly and majestically represented the University and the State for almost 80 years.SOunds to me like you shouldn't even have came to this university of all you had were negative thoughts on what others consider a legend that will always live on
Chief Illinwek was the heart and soul of ILLINI Nation. First the european settlers took their land and banished the native americans to live on reservations. how fitting is it that they eventually cut out the heart of illini nation and and left the soul to wither? my hope is that the soul of chief illiniwek will rise again, and return in the form of an eagle, his spirit free to soar. And once again, the spirit of a great and noble people can be celebrated. and a younger and more enlightened generation can experience the love and emotion that chief evoked.
There is nothing but respect here. We live in a sad age where anything resembling tradition is destroyed. If anything in the public eye is seen as somehow representative of a people or religion, its "offensive". Let's all just live in a dull world, where we pay tribute to nothing. If I acted offended anytime Greeks were represented in sports or culture I'd be pretty bitter. Good thing I'm proud of my heritage. Let the extremely small PC minority talk, its how they show their insecurity.
I understand the fact that native american activists were upset as they felt they were not being honored but mocked and being disrespected on a living culture. I do agree that the university should have retired the chief due to this fact alone. I do not believe and neither do the activists that there was intention to be disrespectful in any way, but after the fact this was taken care of. We all know the traditions and had it in good spirits, not tring to be disrespectful to any race!
Realistically, even if Chief Illiniwek had survived past 2007, he would surely have been retired later on. We live in a time when Oregon-Oregon State discontinued the name "Civil War" for their rivalry, UIC's John Marshall School of Law changed its name because Marshall was a slaveowner, and the list goes on. Whether you think this is a positive trend or a negative one, there's simply no way the Chief would survive in the current atmosphere.
(PARASITE, 2019) South Korean director Bong Joon-ho has won the Cannes film festival's most prestigious award. The protagonist's daughter has fake ID Illinois State University in the film.
the illini tribe not only gave their blessing but also provided the "costume" and taught the university of illinois the dance. the only change that was made from what was given/taught was the headress because at the time they tribe made it out of eagle feathers and they were considered an endangered species so a replica was made.
I think the "costume" came from the (Lakota?) Sioux. There may have been several over the years. I remember at the 1982 football game against Pittsburgh, a Sioux Indian (a chief, maybe), presented some article of clothing to Chief Illiniwek at halftime..
you call this disrespectful look at florida state's mascot he is an indian and he drives a spear into the end zone go down there and protest and leave the chief alone there should literally be a petition to bring the chief back back then you didn't have anyone saying anything so why now just chill out and bring him back hail to the Chief!!!
@tnup76 Mascot? No my friend. Being a Fighting Illini myself, the chief was no mascot. He didn't patrol the sidelines riling up the crowd. He didn't work as a cheerleader nor did he do the silly things that mascots do. In fact, The Chief predated mascots. What he did was unite current students with 80 years of alumni under one tradition that never changed. Natives don't want their traditions to be messed with, so what is wrong with an AUTHENTIC Lakota garb being warn with a positive message?
Look at how much this guy meant to this university. And the school took this away? What a crying shame. Maybe one day universities will get leaders who listen to alumni and fans instead of a few people who probably never go to any of the games anyway.
My advice is to do as I do: Whenever I get a call to donate to the U, I tell them "No Illiniwek, no donation." It will be that way with me forever. Hit them in the pocketbook for their stupid decision.
@lion3p0 Actually, I have Native American friends, they were honored by this dance. One almost cried. This mascot was in NO WAY racist. It is honorable.
Why is it that Irish people do not get upset with the Notre Dame symbol and mascot (somebody dressed up in a costume)? Why don't Greek people get upset with Michigan State (Spartans) and Southern California (Trojans) for their symbols and mascots? One wonders if one day people will have little memory of Native American culture and history because political correctness and wokeness wiped out the memories. There was nothing cartoonish about Chief Illiniwek. The portrayal and performance was done with honor and respect. And the audience at the football and basketball games, by and large, showed respect and honor when the Chief performed. It was not easy to become Chief. There was more to it than just being able to do the dance.
As someone who grew up in C-U, as far as mythic power the Chief was greater than Santa Claus. The moment he burst through the band thousands of eyes teared so powerful was the spectacle. Of course, Illinois was one of the first big colleges, and invented the university concert band and a lot of the traditions, so the show evolved into one of the most effective halftime shows. Seeing the Chief was more important than seeing the game, so powerful was the spirit of unity and harmony and achievement that he conjured up. After ruminating on this issue for most of my life, I have finally conceded that we aren't allowed to use elements of native culture in our ceremonies. You can pluck from Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, European Paganism, Zoroastrianism, and everything else. But you can't touch the native stuff. It's because that's the way the natives want it. It's most of what they were left with, and they don't want to share any of it. But I have to admit, this is the land of their ancestors, and their ceremony resonant so profoundly on such an epic scale that its a great loss. RIP Chief Illini we will always love your spirit and can still watch the video on youtube and have a tear or two.
Nancy Cantor came to town and said "We need to come to a consensus over the Chief argument" She was promptly ran out of town only after stacking the deck on the Board of Trustees with non-Illinois grads. Who had two or three campus-wide referendums to vote the chief out. It was soundly defeated each time. Finally Myles Brand and former Indiana University got the NCAA to pass a rule not letting teams having Native American symbols host any NCAA events and basically discriminate against them.
@lilmyboy u can point 2 every civilization and find a hurt soul. i may not be able to understand fully, but i'm sure my ancestors did. i have cherokee, choctaw, and apache native american blood running through my veins (choctaw princess and cherokee princess from my father). i'm still told stories by my grandmother of how the indians were treated, but i live in the here and now and refuse to place blame or be hurt by a mascot. i'm of native AMERICAN descent and i fully SUPPORT the chief.
what also ppl for get to recognize is that chief outfit was given to them by an American Indian tribe. they asked them to wear that in their honor and they are now actually mad about them not continuing the chief.
(cont.) My point being, without the Chief, Illini is just another word, maybe short for Illinois, but with the Chief, the Illini Nation is immortal. As are it's 12 tribes. Didn't go to Illinois, but I'm proud to call myself an Illini instead of an Illinoian. All because I saw the Chief dance one Saturday afternoon.
Cried over this. The Chief never mocked Native Americans and the dance was not some sort of stereotype. He actually is Native American and studied with tribes to learn this dance. So sad to see a staple of a well-respected university family of which I am a member of go away. HAIL to the CHIEF!
Because the dance isn't an accurate portrayal of native American heritage. It is a portrayal of the American caricature of native Americans. Which, since we practically exterminated all of the native Americans, I would argue is unbearably insensitive.
We don't watch sports in our home. Which is like a crime here in this state! But, I am really glad we don't. Because when the first time my daughter saw "Chief Wahoo" of the Cleveland Indians she looked at me so shocked. Then she said "Mom is that supposed to be a Native American man?" I quietly said, "Yes." "That is so mean. Why would they make fun of us like that?" Well, what should've I told my child? Schools need mascots? If it hurts children it's wrong PERIOD
Go Chief!! Good thing the Trojans aren't around our USC would be out of their moscot too. no one makes a big deal about them mocking the Trojans, only because there are not around to take offense. It just really upsets me. The outfit and the dance were both given and taught, respectively,by the Illini tribe. In my mind that isn't disrespect. Its showing the country they need to honor the Native Americans since our culture won't let them do it themselves.
