FROM THE NATIONAL COALITION ON RACISM IN SPORTS AND MEDIA (NCRSM)
THE NCRSM IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION DIRECTED BY PROMINENT NATIVE 
AMERICAN LEADERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/13/99

For more Information contact:
Michael Haney, Executive Director, NCRSM: (217) 355-6757
Cyd Crue, Vice President, NCRSM-IL: (217) 355-6757

PEORIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA REQUEST THAT UIUC CEASE USE OF CHIEF ILLINIWEK AS MASCOT

"Contrary to statements and press releases by Rick Winkel, Students for 
Chief Illiniwek, and UIUC, the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma has joined with 
other Native nations and organizations in demanding that UIUC stop using 
racial stereotypes of American Indian people," said Michael S. Haney, 
Executive Director of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the
Media.

The Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma passed Resolution R-04-04-00-C "Request to 
University of Illinois to Cease Use of Chief Illiniwek as Mascot" on April

4, 2000.  The Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma are descendants of the Kaskaskia, 
Peoria, Piankeshaw and Wea tribes, a group of tribes known as Illiniwek,
or Illini, or Illinois nations.  Their members were removed from their 
homelands in Illinois and forced to move first to Missouri, then Kansas
and finally into the northeastern part of Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.

The newly passed resolution states that "the image portrayed by Chief 
Illiniwek does not accurately represent or honor the heritage of the
Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and is a degrading racial stereotype that 
reflects negatively on all American Indian people."  The Resolution
further states that "the Peoria Tribe of Indians does not endorse or sanction the 
characterization of Chief Illiniwek as mascot for the University of 
Illinois" and also, "requests the leadership of the University of Illinois

to recognize the demeaning nature of the characterization of Chief 
Illiniwek, and cease the use of this mascot."

In an interview with L. Brian Stauffer, Freelance writer and Photographer,
Chief Ron Froman said, "I don't know what the origination was, or what the
reason was for the university to create Chief Illiniwek.  I don't think it
was to honor us, because, hell, they ran our (butts) out of Illinois."

Responding to the call to dialogue from University of Illinois, Native 
leaders and activists will journey to UIUC campus this Friday, April 14, 
2000 to participate in the dialogue on the University's Indian symbol and 
logo. In addition to the formal intake session in Foellinger Auditorium 
there will be an open mic speakout and performances on the Quad.  Dennis 
Banks (American Indian Movement), Michael Haney (Executive Director NCRSM 
and American Indian Arbitration Institute), and Charlene Teters (Vice 
President, NCRSM) are among the prominent participants at the speakout and
intake session.  Performances by Red Path Theatre, Native Rapper Julian B,

Native Drums, Sirenz, and LaRasa will also take place on the Quad.

You are invited to attend a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on April 14th
at the south end of the Quad (in front of Foellinger Auditorium).  Copies of 
the Peoria Tribe Resolution will be available upon request and on Friday
at Foellinger Auditorium.