[Peace-discuss] Fw: chief illiniwek vote

[Lisa Chason]

Nov. 11, 2003 --- PLEASE FORWARD
>From the Illinois Chapter of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media:

We have just learned that on Thursday, November 13, 2003, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees will vote on a resolution to retire Chief Illiniwek. The resolution has been placed on the agenda by Trustee Frances Carroll.

YOU CAN INFLUENCE THEIR DECISION NOW! Please contact the members of the Board of Trustees and ask them to vote YES on the resolution to retire Chief Illiniwek so that the university can fulfill its mission as a public educational institution that treats all groups, cultures, and religions with respect. You don't need to write a long letter, please just identify yourself and name any groups with which you are associated. Address your letter to Members of the Board of Trustees and send it care of their secretary, Michele Thompson at: <mthompsn at uillinois.edu>
For more info about the BOT, see www.uillinois.edu/trustees/

We have been fighting this battle for a long time. Please help us support Frances Carroll, the courageous trustee who has put this resolution on the agenda for a roll-call vote, and help us win this war against an outdated and insensitive symbol that does real harm to the Native community and to an otherwise excellent institution.  Thank you very much for your contribution to this struggle. When Chief Illiniwek no longer dances at halftime, we will all dance together in whole time!

The text of the resolution follows as well as a url for an article about the resolution.

Carol Spindel and Brenda Farnell
NCRSM--Illinois chapter

RESOLUTION

 "Whereas, Chief Illiniwek has been a treasured symbol of the Urbana-Champaign campus since the inception of Chief Illiniwek in 1926;
   Whereas, many students have performed well and ably in the role of Chief Illiniwek;
   Whereas, Chief Illiniwek has been intended as a representation of the indigenous people who gave their name to this State and its Flagship University;
   Whereas, Chief Illiniwek has represented the dignity, strength, intelligence, and grace to which Illinois athletic teams have aspired;
   Whereas, The native Illinois people, the Peoria, requested by resolution on April 20, 2000, that the University discontinue the Chief Illiniwek tradition;
   Whereas, The continuation of the controversy centering on Chief Illiniwek would undermine the very unity of the Illini family that the symbol fostered so well for so long; and
   Whereas, The controversy also diverts critical attention and resources away from the core missions of teaching, research, service, and economic development; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved, That Chief Illiniwek be honorably retired at a time and in a manner to be determined by the Urbana-Champaign campus in consultation with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and other members of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign family, and with concurrence of the Board of Trustees;
   Resolved, That the University discontinue its use of the graphic image and likewise discourage others' use of that image; and
   Resolved, That at the same time we, the Board of Trustees, declare our full support for the name Fighting Illini for the athletic teams at the Urbana-Champaign campus. This is a part of our heritage. We take pride in the association that the University has through this name with the people of Illinois."


For more information, see: http://www.news-gazette.com/

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Professor Tom Bassett
Dept. of Geography                      tel: 217-244-3200    
University of Illinois,Urbana-Champaign fax: 217-244-1785
607 S. Mathews Ave, #220                e-mail:  bassett at uiuc.edu                                      
Urbana, IL 61801                                                                          


     CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF GEOGRAPHY AT ILLINOIS--1949-1999                                                                      
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