http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/ame...re-not-mascots

This is a petition to retire the use of "Fighting Sioux" at the University of North Dakota, in case anyone is interested. Pass it on to your friends too, if you so desire. You can also choose to ignore me.

I was involved in the protests of "Chief Illiniwek" of the University of Illinois, and I sat in on some of the UIC board meetings. It was heartbreaking listening to the stories. It reminded me of the racism my own son had to endure in school. It made me thankful we no longer use black as mascots. He had it bad enough.

Chief Illiniwek was eventually retired, and the NCAA made a declaration for all schools to stop the use of Indian mascots. UND is refusing to comply. The stories I've heard from the native community there are far worse than what I heard here in Illinois. It's "tradition" to pick on the natives from the reservations, especially after a few drinks.

I'd like to think people across the country here now realize the impact and consequences of using/mocking others from another culture/race.

Thanks.

In case anyone thinks it's not offensive to treat people in this manner, please take a moment to listen to this UIC student speak. Her life was threatened with a "tomahawk" after she gave this speech.

http://www.retirethechief.org/BOT0307/Tenoso320x240.mov

I grew up near a small mountain called Squaw Peak. As a youngster, I never realized that the word was as vile as the "N" word.

The first American Indian to die in this Iraq war was named Piestuwa(sp), I cannot remember her first name.

Our governor, Janet Napolitano (great, smart woman) renamed the peak in her honor. I loved the name change.

So many protested the change. I GREW UP here and it was a change for the good.

All mascots should be cute cuddly stuffed animal types.

Lori Piestewa.

Thanks Aarcyn and Bobbi. Yep - it was Lori Piestewa. They made a big deal out of honoring her back then, but I heard people are pushing to change it back to "Squaw Peak."

It disturbs me there are only 1300 signatures nationwide. It tells me there are 1300 people in this country who understand how to respect another human being. Maybe I'm just impatient. Maybe I'm hoping for too much from people.

Maybe people don't think of consequences when they use/abuse another person for personal pleasure, entertainment and gain.

I'm so tired of the excuse that "it's tradition" or "it's harmless fun." Tell that to a young Indian woman trying to make her way back to her dorm after a game or if she has to pass a frat house after a party lets out. Is it good clean fun for all the boys, drunk and dressed up like Indians, to surround her and attempt to "marry" the maiden?

Or how about when an Indian man is approached by pumped up Redskins fans after a game who decide to chase him through the streets threatening to scalp him. Is it FUN to watch him run?

My heart broke when I watched the coverage of the tornado tragedy in Iowa involving Boy Scouts. My heart goes out to their families. My nephew is an eagle scout. Still, I couldn't help but shake my head at reality. If it had actually been four "Little Sioux" boys who had lost their lives, no one would have cared. It wouldn't even have been news - it would have been "entertainment." Instead of sorrow, people would have made jokes and danced around with feathers in their caps.

Just needed to vent about this.

i absolutly disagree with your statement about the boy scouts vs the little sioux boys.

i find it appalling that you think this whole country is so heartless.

you may not agree with the use of mascots, but to say that is just inflamitory crap.

I agree with Curious. Why on earth do you think that people would have celebrated the death of four children - whatever their heritage may be??

Curious

Of course I'd like to think otherwise, but try to place your head where mine is at for a moment. I've been fighting the exploitation of native people for over eight years now - observing it for 50 years.

You have not seen the viciousness I've seen, even from scout leaders, academic professionals, and those who claim to follow the "red road." Tragedies involving natives don't make the news. Ask the family of the man who was dragged to his death behind a truck not long after that incident in Tyler, Texas. The difference there was the kids who killed the Indian man got off with a slap on the wrist because they were "good kids."

Ask the family of "Jane Doe" in OK whose body was found with her full-term baby cut out shortly after Laci Peterson was discovered. No one even bothered to find out her identity or who killed her. She was "just another Indian." Outside of the Indian community, I never heard ANYONE speak of these two cases. When I brought up the subject, no one seemed to care - most blamed it on the Indians for being so "inflammatory."

How is this inflammatory crap? Have you ever seen mainstream society rush to the aid of our native people? Have you ever seen mainstream society mourn for our native people? Have we as a people EVER tried to help them without any strings attached?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just being real.

Kathy, your statement was pretty emphatic "no one would have cared" is a lot different from "I wonder if anyone would have cared?" .....

let's please not see this thread become something it is not intended to be.
For you to draw attention to something that is hurtful and insulting and disrespectful to American Indians is to be applauded.

But that shouldnt extend to being accusatory or inflammatory in remarks that generalize. Many here at NT have native heritage(see American Mutt thread) and most all are deeply caring people...that is why they are here!

Fine. I'll shut up and go to my room now. Please don't lock this thread. I'll try my BEST to bottle up my anger, fear, and sadness. I'm sorry.