Since 2007, the Chief Illiniwek mascot at the University of Illinois has been officially retired. However, despite decisions by the NCAA ruling against the use of indigenous imagery in sport, the Chief remains a prominent symbol in Champaign-Urbana. Going beyond the student body and university, the greater community remains deeply attached to what many long-time residents and devoted fans would describe as a symbol of honor, solemnity, and respect. This paper examines community attachment to or affection for a symbol, or how one community finds identity through merchandise featuring the mythical persona of Chief Illiniwek. New merchandise associated with indigenous imagery is no longer manufactured by university or NCAA sanctioned suppliers and vendors. Thus, recent merchandise featuring any kind of indigenous imagery is not deemed “official” or “authentic.” Searching “Chief Illiniwek” on popular sites like eBay or Etsy shows hundreds of used items and new original creations for sale. Many of these are vintage pieces marketed as rare and collector’s items. Walking into various consignment and secondhand shops in Champaign-Urbana will also prove there is a market for Chief Illiniwek merchandise and there are eager collectors willing to pay for various items. This paper looks at the various ways Chief merchandise remains part of local Champaign-Urbana life less as a way to express support for University of Illinois athletics, but more as a mechanism to perform a community identity rooted in colonial ideology.
About the presenterMaria A Mears
Maria Mears is a third year PhD student in American Studies at Purdue University. She obtained a B.A. in History and Sociology from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin and a M.A. in Historical Administration from Eastern Illinois University. Her research focuses on collective memory and how the act of collecting artifacts and images promotes narratives of white supremacy, patriarchy, and colonial ideology. She is particularly interested in communities built around controversial images, artifacts, and memorials.