wfn.org | Chief Illiniwek controversy prompts racism conversations

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

April 12, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn 10-34-71B{181}

By Paul W. Widicus*

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (UMNS) - Controversy surrounding the use of United Methodist
money to help remove Chief Illiniwek as a symbol of the University of
Illinois sports program prompted 90 people to gather in Champaign for a
"Talking Circle" Saturday, April 7.

Participants included United Methodists from churches in the area and
members of the Native American United Methodists Fellowship of the Illinois
Great Rivers Conference.

The controversy was sparked when the denomination's General Commission on
Religion and Race, based in Washington, awarded a $10,000 grant to the
Illinois chapter of the Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media. The
chapter, based in Champaign, opposes the use of  Native Americans as sports
symbols and mascots in general and specifically objects to the presence of
Chief Illiniwek at University of Illinois sporting events.

Three weeks earlier, Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher invited about 40
leaders from the conference and representatives of the Commission on
Religion and Race to a "common table" to discuss multi-racial relationships.

The Rev. Michael Eischen, superintendent of the church's Iroquois River
District, said, the purpose of the Talking Circle was to inform participants
about Native American culture, spirituality and the pain caused by
stereotypes and race-based symbols. 

"We have United Methodist brothers and sisters who wish to help us
understand that they are one with us as disciples of Jesus Christ, but feel
victimized when stereotypes painfully misrepresent who they are," Eischen
said.  " In my conversations with pastors and laity there is a growing
consensus that we need to hear the faith stories of Native American United
Methodists in a setting conducive to learning."

The event, held at Champaign's First United Methodist Church, began with
multicultural worship.  Eischen set the stage by acknowledging that much has
been said since the grant was made about the church, the university, and
racism.  "It seems to me Native American voices have not been heard clearly.
We are here to learn about their culture and heritage with our minds open
and our hearts softened so we can hear each others' pain."

The Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin, a United Methodist pastor and missionary, and
Liz Reis, chairperson of  the Native American Fellowship led the worship and
time of learning. Music, prayers and reflections from both cultures merged
to move persons into a time of reflection on past and present racism. 

That a wide variety of Native American cultures exists  was new information
for many of the participants.  Leaders reported that there are 563
recognized Native American tribes in North America, each with its own
distinct culture, language, dress, music and art.

Video clips were shown to illustrate how stereotypes about Native Americans
pervade the U.S. culture. 

 "Racism is a complex set of social, religious, and economic forces that
conspire to produce perceived racial differences," said the Rev. Danny
Lybarger, pastor of Hoopeston United Methodist Church. 

He said U.S. racism began with the conquest of the continent by Europeans
looking for land.  It has been estimated that in 1492 there were 112 million
indigenous people on the North American continent. In 1900 there were only
about 250,000.

Two members of  the Native American Fellowship shared their spiritual and
faith journeys. Chip Roberts, Cherokee, told of his journey from the
sacredness of the drum beat as the heart beat of all life, to the Bible, to
finding Jesus Christ, to being baptized. 

Kim Reis, a young prayer warrior, told of her journey from a dream about a
jingle dancer, to her vision, to her training in prayers for healing, to her
call to dance in prayer for others in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Her mother, Liz Reis, explained, "When we put on the dance regalia we are
preparing for worship. When we put feathers in our hair each is done with
prayer. Paint on our faces is an honor we train and work for over years and
is only given through a vision."

She said Chief  Illiniwek's  putting on paint, feathers, and other regalia
and entering the sacred circle to dance is a desecration of that which is
spiritual.  

Participants broke into 10 Talking Circles where each could hold a Talking
Stick and share their feelings and opinions without interruption. 

One participant expressed a need for "healing and wholeness to the land."
Another said he had learned a lot more about racism because of the
controversy.

A "compromise that would allow Chief Illiniwek to honor Native Americans,"
was suggested. One participant spoke to the issue of land ownership. "Should
we do away with everything that offends someone," somebody asked. The dance
performed by Chief Illliniwek at sporting events has lost its meaning if it
hurts people, one person said.  But, another asked, "If it (the dance) is
not authentic, what is wrong with it?"

To conclude the day, insights from the Talking Circles were shared and
everyone joined in a multi-cultural service of Holy Communion.

In conclusion, Eastin said the event was  not about the chief or the grant.
"It is about the long-term relationship between United Methodists and Native
Americans. What we do now is critical. Our response to this issue could
cause Native American people to turn and walk away because their decision to
participate could hinge on our response to racism."

Eischen said the event was significant because the Native Americans who
participated are United Methodists.  "As a denomination, conference and
local churches we must hear the pain we experience because of Chief
Illiniwek." 

The Talking Circle was sponsored by Iroquois River District United
Methodists and members of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Native
American Fellowship which meets regularly in Peoria. 

Talking Circles are also scheduled for United Methodists of the Embarras
River District at Mattoon First United Methodist Church April 21 and United
Methodists of the Okaw River District at Decatur First United Methodist
Church May 12.   Both events begin at 9 a.m. 

In her invitations to the earlier March 19 meeting, Christopher said, the
controversy around the Commission on Religion and Race grant has given the
people of Illinois "an opportunity to go deeper in their understanding of
multi-racial relationships and make new decisions about how they are going
to live together as an inclusive human family." 

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*Widicus is director of communications for the Illinois Great Rivers
Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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