I worked on the Soboba Indian reservation for sevceral years and most indians were proud of the fact that whites chose indians as mascots. The fact that the mascots were identified as Warriors or for their strength was viewed favorably.

I think that the politicaly correct "Fools" and wrong on this issue.

Sarah,
So the survey you mentioned consists of journalists, both Native American and non? Not exactly a group representative of the Native American community, unless you're trying to tell me that all Native Americans are journalists. Now *that* would be shameful.

And you didn't even respond to the post by Bob who actually works on an Indian Reservation.
-Jim.

Indian Country Today is a weekly newspaper that focuses on news and issues important to Native Americans. Its staff is composed of Native American journalists and non-native journalists, the latter having extensive experience in Native communities.

In 2001, the publication surveyed its readers on the mascot debate. Results included:

Question 1: Do Indian mascots predominantly honor or are they predominantly offensive to Natives?
OFFENSIVE: 81 percent
HONOR: 10 percent
UNSURE: 9 percent

Question 2: Do you believe the use of Indian mascots at non-Indian schools, colleges and universities should be in violation of anti-discrimination laws?
YES: 75 percent
NO: 20 percent
UNSURE: 5 percent

Question 3: Do Indian mascots create a "hostile educational environment" for Native students?
YES: 73 percent
NO: 17 percent
UNSURE: 10 percent

Question 4: Should federal and state education funds be withheld from schools that continue to use Indian names, symbols and mascots?
YES: 69 percent
NO: 22 percent
UNSURE: 9 percent

Indian Country Today's readership numbers in the thousands and includes most tribal leaders, officials in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. senators and representives, educators, students, and others. The paper prides itself on its coverage of news and issues related to Native Americans.

The student population at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign numbers 37,767 (according to 2001 data from the Office of Public Affairs). What percentage of that population is Native American? A whopping 0.2 percent.

What does the recent campus vote tell me? Nothing.

The view of many, whether politically correct or not, is that it is shameful that a public institution --- especially one ranking so high as Illinois in its ability to attract and educate some of this nation's brightest young people --- allowed the mascot issue to go this far. The "chief" should have been retired years ago.

In Fall 2001, the weekly newspaper Indian Country Today, surveyed a portion of its readership known as "American Indian opinion leaders" on the mascot issue. One can volunteer to take part in the publication's surveys as long as he/she submits their name and tribal affiliation. So, the respondents from the survey I referred to above were all Native Americans.

The editorial staff of Indian Country Today is composed largely of Native Americans and the paper focuses its content on the news and issues especially pertinent to the American Indian community. I did not intend to imply the publication surveyed its own staff.

In response to Army of One respondent "Bob," I do not doubt his words. However, the Soboba tribe is actually listed among Native American organizations that endorse the retirement of Native American mascots. (This information can be found at http://www.allarm.org/articales/resolution_list.html.)

I hope this clears up any confusion.