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.