Chief Illiniwek's Last Dance

This is a TV news story I did in Feb. 2007 about the last dance of University of Illinois mascot/symbol Chief Illiniwek.

[@jjarse2]

Nice job, Ted. Good writing, good shooting, good editing.

[@SirKiwi13]

Oy, how else can you let people know you're upset? You run around screaming 'I'M OFFENDED!' Then people listen to you- because they have to. Also- if any other group of people were used as 'mascots' LOTS of people would be running around going 'I'm offended!'

[@ROdblS]

the FY in fact preceded the fucking, as in "for your fucking information"...

[@cubeydoo]

@Djkaysay25 Well if you've ever seen family guy, south park, american dad, The simpsons etc. then you would know and realize they make fun of religion. It's easy to shrug off because I understand everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Just because i don't agree with something doesn't mean i have to let it "offend" me. There are nearly 4300 colleges and universities in this country. If ones traditions and representations bother you then there are 4299 more to choose from.

[@2bin]

Amen.

[@travonnixon4209]

Good work

[@funstuff96]

well its never on the news very much but anyway. and just wondering who is we. just native americans or minorities or what?

[@funstuff96]

oky you want a real debate fine. lets have one. first off the chief has never been dihonored in any way. only if you consider the dance a as that. also if you believe this is wrong why don't you go after the scores of other so colled racist figures. in illinois there are many different sports teams named after native american symbols

[@2bin]

I know plenty because I am a proud graduate of UIUC. My pride has nothing to do with the "chief," however. If you tried applying for this school instead of sticking to your pathetic "imax projectionist" position, you might have a chance to learn something.

[@miloandtock1]

You're American in case you forgot. Live for today, make your future better.

[@ROdblS]

not sure what was childish about my statement...but OK

[@drhays]

you dont know dan obviously...

[@iphilipaz]

@IndianLand25 its not worth it to look at ur channel

[@Jaylinkin]

@deepwoodskev look at the Washington redskins isn't that "racist"

[@funstuff96]

how is the chief racist. honestly. a reprisentation of native american dances are done all the time of you go out west but yet in those cases i guess the indians are getting paid so its different huh.

[@quicksilverwade]

Tradition? How can the chief be traditional when his breastplate is plastic?

[@prairiepatriot2162]

You've clearly never met real native Americans and seen them perform traditional dance in traditional dress; they aren't cavemen. Do you think Viking mascots use real horns or the Fighting Irish can't wear synthetic fibers?

[@funstuff96]

i earn my own money. go work in a casino or something that seems to be all your good at

[@hopigirl]

that's a good joke ha "white people are now the most discriminated people in America" thanks for the laugh and NICE TRY :p

[@roxannegould2447]

The mascot needs to go and stay gone.

[@spicey6646]

You're an idiot.

[@Davis_Carlton]

Aren't you late for drag queen story hour?...

[@funstuff96]

i could care less. give me the money. the chief is to me much more than any of those symbols have ever been. but how is it different when it is done in a national park or here.

[@hopigirl]

well go ahead and fight to remove the viking name, because im guessing their are more natives to protest the mascot then their are for the vikings. GOOD LUCK>

[@colbymercury]

It really doesn't matter if I know him or not, he was one of the worst chiefs in history. He danced around like a white farm boy at a club. Awful. Maybe he should have maybe worked out in the off season and stretched out out a little. hHe always looked like he was just going through the motions.

[@nmbr1cub]

srry have to add on to what i said through a seperate comment but i ran out of room. any way im not gonna complain about frats but hopefully u all see what im getting at. if i was a native american i would be proud of the chief, and i dont mean to sound rude or racist here and this doesnt apply to all of u but id like to let the native americans and african americans know that they havent been the only cultures mistreated in america

[@ericxc1]

You've apparently never been to an Illinois football or basketball game. Pointing and laughing? Give me a break... FWIW, in 25 years of watching Illiniwek perform, I have never witnessed pointing and laughing. It's always been a matter of respect. But you--like the weak BOT--will believe what you want to believe. That much is clear.

[@cubeydoo]

well in those 25 years youve apparently never come across sarcasim..granted it is difficult to get it when people type it

[@colbymercury]

This guy was the worst chief. no passion,

[@Kimbereli09]

There's me too! Good work!

[@Djkaysay25]

Honor? Are people aware that this dance is made up and a ficticious representation of a Native American dance? When Native Americans do this sort of dance, it's a religious ceremony. I doubt any religious group would tolerate any of their religious ceremonies being mocked for pure entertainment of others, His costume is not even a representation of an Illini Native American, only the Sue tribe wore headresses. This ceremony is pure ignorance on display.

[@Davis_Carlton]

No. It's not. You literally have no idea what you are talking about. The dance was taught by Indians based on fancy dancing, a folk dancing style.

[@rex9ally]

Get a load of the Native American expert spelling the tribe name as "Sue" 🤣@@Davis_Carlton

[@Raiderred0]

I think it is a crap that such a great tradition is ruined by a very few. I see nothing wrong with the dance, nor any type of "sterotyping" of a culture. Makes me sick, and I am not a Ilini supporter. Stupid how some have nothing better to do than to ruin things for the masses.