pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Back in the '50s, when I was a youngun', my Dad liked watching UofI basketball. I think it was on WILL (pbs) back then, and sometimes on WCIA. I remember asking my Dad why the Illini had an Indian Chief dance at halfime.? After all, I thought, weren't all the Indians out West? (I got that from all the westerns on TV back then).
My Dad, who was a High School Principal and had a lot books, went to the big bookcase and pulled out book on the history of Illinois, and pointed out several chapters on tribes native to the state.
That got my interest, and I read all I could from books at the local library about the Black Hawk war, the story of Starved Rock, the pre-Columbian history of Dixon Mounds and, of course Cahokia mounds. I later listened to my grandfather's story of playing on the Mounds on the St Louis side of the river, where he was raised, before they were leveled for development in the 1890's. I also accumulated a nice arrowhead and axe head collection. Later on, as a teacher I enjoyed telling students about native history of Illinois (of which they usually knew nothing) Often they would connect the fact that Illinois had a rich native American history with Chief Illiniwek and I said it was a tradition meant to honor our native predecessors and should be treated with reverence. I hope at least a few of them retained some tidbits of knowledge of those honored people of the past.
So, no, I do not think the Chief should have been silenced or his dance halted. I hate that many people do not understand the difference between a 'mascot', and a revered symbol of those who came before us.
awesome post bro.............................................I would jump in with both feet if there ever is a movement to restore the CHIEF emblem to Illini sports .......................