Chief dances again

URBANA -— For just more than four minutes on a cold, windy Saturday, Chief Illiniwek was back.
As a dozen protesters rallied outside, thousands of supporters rallied inside at the Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon to watch University of Illinois student Logan Ponce, dressed in a replica Chief Illiniwek costume, dance to the song played by a band of alumni, not the alumni band — an event billed as "The Next Dance."
His reintroduction was climactic.
People began lining up outside the Assembly Hall at 2 p.m. Organizers walked the lines and yelled instructions — No food or drinks; no signs; do not, do not, hold up any clothing or blankets with the image of Chief Illiniwek on them.
The registered student organization Students for Chief Illiniwek organized the rally in conjunction with the 11 a.m. football game between Illinois and Ohio State at Memorial Stadium. The Illini lost 30-20.
The doors opened at 2:30 p.m., an hour ahead of show time.
Inside, onlookers found seats or milled around food stands selling popcorn or a booth by photographer Brad LaPayne, who sold all things Chief - jumbo-sized cutouts, calendars and panoramic photographs.
Yes, he said, some of the proceeds would benefit the student group. But the amount donated depended on the amount sold.
A 4-year-old girl pointed to one of the photographs.
"Look, Mom," she said. "He looks like an Indian."
The bottom two sections of the Assembly Hall soon began to fill with bright orange sweatshirts, and then the chants began.
"I-L-L," one group yelled.
"I-N-I," another yelled back.
Protesters, in the same vein, would yell a similar chant later as the crowds flowed out, replacing the cheer's  letters with "R-A-C" and "I-S-T."
But that was an hour away.
It was nearing 3:30 p.m. - the scheduled time for a multimedia presentation on the history of the Chief, speeches from former Chiefs and the anticipated dance.
The crowd was anxious. They began to rumble: "Chief, Chief, Chief."
Soon, the lights dimmed.
Roberto Martell, UI student and president of Students for Chief Illiniwek, walked across the floor of the Assembly Hall to cheers.
He paused.
"Students for Chief Illiniwek presents the next dance ... 82 years ago this fall, the University of Illinois established a tradition at the university building, a tradition that made Chief Illiniwek the symbol of our great university," he said.
Another pause.
"It was not just a dance at the half-time ... it was a tangible reminder of an intangible spirit. The spirit upon which our great state and our great university were founded. It was the spirit of strength, honesty, loyalty, dignity and truthfulness - attributes that our Native American ancestors embodied, and attributes that everyone today can aspire to," he continued.
"While University of Illinois officials retired Chief Illiniwek in February 2007, it can never ..."  He paused as the crowd booed. "... Ever, ever, ever, retire the values for which he stands ..." Another pause as, this time, cheers erupted. "... And that is what we are today to celebrate," he concluded.
And then the floor was Ponce's.
Julia Spiotta came from Michigan to celebrate the "great tradition" she said she's supported her whole life.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be here and couldn't be prouder," the 21-year-old student said.
Younger and older alumni felt the same.
"I keep thinking about the last time I saw the Chief ... this has kind of renewed all those memories," said Negy Abdel, 25. "This is really exciting. It may not be the exact same costume and may not be the exact same situation, but it's still good to see."
The dance brought up memories for others, too.
In a statement released late last week, Robert Warrior, professor and director of Native American House and American Indian Studies, said the group's students, faculty and staff are "dismayed" about the plans "to bring back the university's offensive former mascot."
"The planned event represents a step backwards in the process of changing the climate of intolerance, insensitivity and dehumanization that Native American people experience at Illinois," Warrior stated. "Those who have planned the upcoming event and those who participate in it are heading in the wrong direction by promoting a caricature, a stereotype and an insult."
About a dozen protesters - some with signs, a few with their faces painted black - stood in a group outside as attendees began to leave just after 4:30 p.m. A few police officers waited nearby.
"At least we were noticed, and that was the whole point," said student Vanessa Gutierrez, who rallied with protesters. "It wasn't to change things, but things like this are an uphill battle. We're very low in minorities, and it's reflective of the people that came here today. So our voices are usually invisible."

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