Former Univ. of Ill. mascot faces protest

URBANA, Ill., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Protesters say the appearance of former University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign mascot Chief Illiniwek at a recent campus function was unacceptable.

American Indian Studies professor Robert Warrior said the university's former mascot was removed in 2007 due to its stereotypical portrayal of American Indians and its appearance at a Assembly Hall rally was ill-advised, The (Champaign-Urbana, Ill.) News-Gazette reported Sunday.

"The planned event represents a step backward in the process of changing the climate of intolerance, insensitivity and dehumanization that Native American people experience at Illinois," the Native American House director said in a statement before Saturday's planned event.

University student Logan Ponce donned the controversial costume as part of "The Next Dance" event. For many in attendance, the mascot's appearance was long overdue.

"It was not just a dance at the half-time ... it was a tangible reminder of an intangible spirit," Roberto Martell, president of Students for Chief Illiniwek, told the News-Gazette, "the spirit upon which our great state and our great university were founded."