Current Topics in Museum Studies:
Issues in Native American Representation
Larry J. Zimmerman
IUPUI Department of Anthropology

Video Guide

1996, color, running time: 56 minutes. Point of View, PBS,  Filmmaker, producer, writer: Jay Rosenstein. See the  web site on the video, including a video clip, interviews, and other materials.

Summary:

In Whose Honor? looks at the issue of sports mascots and team names that use American Indian images. The focus of the video is the protests of a then University of Illinois graduate student, Charlene Teters  (Spokane, link is to her own website) against the Chief Illiniwek mascot of the U. of Illinois (click here for  a second Teter's biography). Started in 1926, the mascot has undergone many changes, but has largely remained a very stereotyped Indian image. Initially coming to the U. of Illinois from Santa Fe, and recruited to help bring diversity to the university, she recalls first seeing the Chief at a basketball game, and watching the reaction of her children. Her daughter tried to "sink into her seat" from embarrassment and her son tried to laugh, but both were embarrassed at being Indian. After her initial protests, several national Indian groups joined her to protest a whole range of sports teams. They had limited success.

The video is centered on the Illinois episode, interviewing U of Illinois officials, regents, students, and a number of Indian protest leaders including Vernon Bellecourt and Mike Haney. Among the arguments made by the University mascot supporters is that Chief Illiniwek honors the Illinois Indians and Indians in general. Many of these arguments are effectively countered.

Of importance in the video is the impact of stereotypes on the lives of individuals. As noted by Mr. Rosenstein in an introduction to the video, his wish was that those who viewed the film would never look at Indian sports mascots and team names in the same way ever again. You won't.

Questions:

1. What was the origin of Chief Illiniwek, and how has he changed over the years?

2. What changes were made to the Chief after the protests began?

3. How was Ms. Teters treated during her protests?

4. How do the Indian protestors answer the explanation that the Chief honors Indian culture and tradition?

5. Do the Indian people have stereotypes of their own about Indians?

6. What is the impact of stereotypes on the individuals who are being stereotyped?

7. How successful were the protests both at Illinois and nationally?

You may wish to see The Chief  page from the  University of Illinois.