The Honor the Chief
Society was founded in 2001 to lend historical
perspective to the Chief Illiniwek Tradition at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is
the
Society's
objective to share the history of Chief Illiniwek
so that people can gain a better understanding of
the heritage surrounding one of our country's most
time-honored academic traditions.
The Society has found that, when people take the time to learn about the Native Americans for whom the State of Illinois was named, and reflect upon how Chief Illiniwek has been portrayed by her flagship university, they are better able to recognize the difference between an athletic mascot and a time-honored symbol of tradition and respect. It is our hope that, as more people learn about his proud past, they will join us in honoring the tradition that is Chief Illiniwek.
The Society has found that, when people take the time to learn about the Native Americans for whom the State of Illinois was named, and reflect upon how Chief Illiniwek has been portrayed by her flagship university, they are better able to recognize the difference between an athletic mascot and a time-honored symbol of tradition and respect. It is our hope that, as more people learn about his proud past, they will join us in honoring the tradition that is Chief Illiniwek.
Our
Mission
The Honor the Chief Society is intended to provide a unified voice for the thousands of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the University of Illinois that support and value the Chief Illiniwek tradition. Not only do we want to honor the Chief, but we wish to offer a higher vision of the tradition and its future value, and encourage research and educational efforts that preserve, respect, and reaffirm our Illini heritage.
The Honor the Chief Society is intended to provide a unified voice for the thousands of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the University of Illinois that support and value the Chief Illiniwek tradition. Not only do we want to honor the Chief, but we wish to offer a higher vision of the tradition and its future value, and encourage research and educational efforts that preserve, respect, and reaffirm our Illini heritage.