Chief Illiniwek (retired symbol)
E1004583
Native American–themed mascot
controversial symbol
retired collegiate athletic symbol
university mascot
Chief Illiniwek is the former, controversial Native American-themed symbol and sideline performer that represented the University of Illinois’ athletic teams until its retirement in 2007.
Observed surface forms (1)
| Surface form | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Chief Illiniwek | 1 |
Statements (50)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
Native American–themed mascot
ⓘ
controversial symbol ⓘ retired collegiate athletic symbol ⓘ university mascot ⓘ |
| activeUntil | 2007 ⓘ |
| affiliation |
Fighting Illini
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| associatedOrganization | National Collegiate Athletic Association NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| associatedWith |
Illiniwek people
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
Native American culture ⓘ college athletics ⓘ |
| controversy |
considered offensive by many Native Americans
ⓘ
criticized as cultural appropriation ⓘ debate over tradition versus discrimination ⓘ |
| costume |
buckskin-style regalia
ⓘ
plumed headdress ⓘ |
| country |
United States of America
ⓘ
surface form:
United States
|
| governingBodyAction | NCAA deemed imagery hostile or abusive ⓘ |
| introduced | 1926 ⓘ |
| languageOfName | English ⓘ |
| legacy |
continuing debate among alumni and students
ⓘ
influenced national discussion on Native American mascots ⓘ |
| locatedIn | Illinois ⓘ |
| namedAfter | Illiniwek confederation of tribes NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| opponentView |
demeaning caricature of Native Americans
ⓘ
racial stereotype ⓘ |
| performanceContext |
basketball games
ⓘ
football games ⓘ halftime shows ⓘ |
| performanceStyle |
choreographed dance
ⓘ
pseudo–Native American dance ⓘ |
| performerType | sideline performer ⓘ |
| portrayedBy |
University of Illinois student
ⓘ
male student dancer ⓘ |
| reasonForRetirement |
NCAA policy on Native American mascots
ⓘ
controversy over Native American stereotyping ⓘ pressure from Native American groups ⓘ |
| relatedTo |
Native American mascot controversy
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
sports team naming controversy ⓘ |
| represents | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign athletic teams NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| retired | 2007 ⓘ |
| retiredBy | University of Illinois Board of Trustees NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| role |
halftime performer
ⓘ
representative of Fighting Illini teams ⓘ symbol of school spirit ⓘ |
| status |
no longer used in official university events
ⓘ
officially retired ⓘ |
| supporterView |
important school tradition
GENERATED
ⓘ
symbol of honor and respect for Native Americans GENERATED ⓘ |
| theme | Native American imagery ⓘ |
Referenced by (2)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.
this entity surface form:
Chief Illiniwek
Illinois Fighting Illini (nearby, university-based)
→
hasMascot
→
Chief Illiniwek (retired symbol)
ⓘ
subject surface form:
Illinois Fighting Illini