[LM_NET] UIUC's "Chief Illiniwek" to be discontinued

[Debbie Reese <debreese@UIUC.EDU>]

Dear Colleagues:

UIUC's administrators announced this morning that 
"Chief Illiniwek" would be discontinued. Major 
news media will carry this story, but if you want 
the press release and other details about "what next" go here:

  www.uillinois.edu/chief.

Though some may hail this as a "victory" it is 
far from that. It is one small step in what needs 
to happen so that this community can begin to 
understand and respect Native people for who we 
are. My daughter has been working at her high 
school to create safe space and climate for 
Native, African American and Latino students. All 
year she's endured resistance and negativity from 
fellow students who feel that her school is 
tolerant and welcome. These students who are in 
the majority, however, are not Native, African 
American, or Latino. It is important that people 
who work with teens read what has happened to her as a result of this work:
http://nativeperspectiveonchiefilliniwek.blogspot.org


Debbie


Debbie A. Reese (Nambé Pueblo)
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native American House, Room 2005
1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese@uiuc.edu
Internet Resource & Blog: 
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
Native American House: http://www.nah.uiuc.edu

TEL 217-265-9885
FAX 217-265-9880

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