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>Any article in Wikipedia can be edited by any user at any time. Many >articles are monitored by self-appointed, volunteer experts. They are >alerted whenever an article on their topic is edited. Most cases of >misinformation are corrected very quickly. Most of these >editors/monitors know what they are talking about and do a good job. >But there is always the chance that your students will access an article >after some bozo has changed it and before a knowledgeable editor can >correct it. Do you want to take that chance? Wikipedia has a page specifically about Chief Illiniwek, the controversial symbol/mascot of the University of Illinois. When I learned about it a few weeks ago, I visited the page and added information about the American Indian Student organizations at UIUC and their history of engaging with the administration over the symbol/mascot and the need for an American Indian Studies program and cultural house. As a member of the student organization, and as president of the organization for several years, I consider myself a knowledgeable person who can speak from experience about Native American students experience and activity around the symbol/mascot. But I don't have time to monitor the wikipedia site. I went to it yesterday, prompted by the LM_NET post about it. I see that someone has removed my additions. I re-inserted them, but I expect them to be removed again. A significant problem with the media coverage (and the Wikipedia site, too) is that they describe this controversy as "pro-" or "anti=Chief" and almost, without fail, disregard the voice of Native people on campus, who assert that we aren't "anti-" or "pro-Chief." Our concerns are on many levels, and we have chosen to define our efforts on campus as "pro-Native American." Our comments are not inflammatory or provocative. As a leading spokesperson, my comments sound just like this post now. So---like anything else---Wikipedia should be viewed critically. Debbie Debbie A. Reese, (Nambé Pueblo) Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Native American House Room 200, MC-139 1206 W. Nevada Street Urbana, Illinois 61801 TEL 217-265-9870 FAX 217-265-9880 http://www.nah.uiuc.edu Email: debreese@uiuc.edu -------------------------------------------------------------------- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------