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Action will change school nickname, not open forums and other talks

By Editorial Board on November 9, 2009 2:00 am in Editorial / 44 comments

 

At Thursday’s “Chippewa” nickname forum, all the panelists agreed that Central Michigan University’s nickname, used for all athletics teams, needs to change.

They cited that the nickname is offensive to Native American people, and that the change would not be quick.

Instead of holding forums and talking about how the nickname needs to be changed, students and faculty that feel strongly about the nickname should act now to begin the name-changing process.

Discussing change and what should be done is important, but those discussions have been happening for years. In 2005, the NCAA deemed 18 schools used Native American symbols and names offensive and that they needed to change their nicknames and/or symbols. CMU was granted permission to use the nickname with the blessing of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribal leadership. CMU also has gone to the extent of eliminating all Native American-related lore in the athletics realm, including the omission of spears and feathers, in 1989.

But if there are problems with the nickname, then those students and faculty that feel it needs to go should step up and begin the process to change it.

Even though the process may take a while, the time to begin is now.

How to do it

If students and faculty are curious as to how they can go about changing it, they can check out the University of North Dakota.

The university, in Grand Forks, N.D., saw students and faculty protest the nickname the Fighting Sioux. It was enough to where the school had until Oct. 1 of this year to change the name or be banned from NCAA postseason play. Without the approval of both Sioux tribes in North Dakota, the school will have to change the nickname. The deadline for approval has since been extended, with still no result.

Going forward to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s council would be a logical first step. The Tribe has given CMU its blessing for use of the nickname in years past and, without approval, the nickname “Chippewas” would not be allowed. It would take a while to complete, as the Tribe has continued to give its blessing on the name.
Charlene Teters, a professor at the Institute of Indian Arts, would be a great person to begin working with.

Teters fought against the University of Illinois to have the former mascot, Chief Illiniwek, removed because it was deemed offensive. Working with her to help remove the nickname would prove beneficial, since she has proven to know how to remove Native American nicknames.

While hosting panels is a great way to spread the message about the nickname, it is only the surface work if the nickname does need to be changed.

And those that are calling for the name’s end needs to hit the ground running instead of just talking about it.

 

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  • niceoneGOP

    This is a joke right? “CMU was granted permission to use the nickname with the blessing of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribal leadership”. I do not see the problem. If there are faculty or students that are offended by the name (all five of them), then there are other universities that I am sure would love to have them. I can’t believe that CM-Life would be wasting so much page space with this trash they call journalism.

  • BG the TB

    There seems to be some white man’s paternalism at work here.

    The Chippewa tribe LIKES the use of the nickname at CMU and has endorsed it? But use of the nickname is offensive? You’re saying the tribe isn’t smart enough to know that the use of the nickname is offensive. Very patronizing.

    And the comparison to North Dakota is just plain weird. The NCAA said the use of “Fighting Sioux” would be OK by them if the local Sioux tribes said it was OK. The local Sioux tribes said it was NOT OK, so ND has to stop using it. It’s the opposite case at CMU…the tribe is OK with the use of the nickname.

    And what’s with the use of the word “mascot” in the headline to this article? The article is about the use of the nickname.

  • Mary Catherine Rentz

    CMU HONORS the Chippewa Tribe with its nickname. The Tribe has approved the use of its name. What is the issue, other than political correctness? PLEASE let this issue die. CMU’s association with the Tribe is very unique and sets CMU apart from almost all other universities. We are lucky to have the association and should not be disrespectful of it.

    What Native American people say our name is offensive? If they are not Chippewa, their opinions are irrelevant. Sounds like someone is trying to set up a straw man as an excuse to make this change. The name has served the University well for many, many years and should not be changed without very strong reasons.

  • http://cm-life.com Pam Murray

    Can this subject be put to rest already? If the Tribe is supportive of CMU’s association with the word “Chippewas” and if CMU continues to work with the tribe to ensure that the word “Chippewa” is used with respect and dignity, why does this group continue to harp on this issue? (Also, has the group ever surveyed Alumni about a change? I think if they did, they would receive an overwhelming resposne to remain Chippewas!)

  • John Denny

    These are people that don’t care about the culture and traditions of CMU. Plus, the state of funding at CMU is bad enough without alienating thousands of alumni.

  • Jessica

    It’s sad to see that so many people wish to bury such an issue. The very idea that we cannot have a mascot because it could be offensive shows that the use of the Chippewa name is all out wrong.

    While CMU ‘honors’ the Chippewa name by trying very hard to be sensitive to the tribe, the university does not do enough to promote knowledge of the Native American culture and the history behind their struggle here in America. It’s hard to respect the Chippewas when you have no idea what that group had gone through to keep ties with roots as a nation.

    People need to realize that it shouldn’t be the students, faculty, or alumni that determine if an entire ethnic group should be used as a mascot. It’s just wrong.

    I also see that CMU, as a community, is not very diverse and it may be harder for people to understand the issue if they don’t know much about the Chippewas.

    All in all, this is another topic were people simply need to be more informed to make a decision. A small group of powerful individuals should not be able to make decisions for an entire university. I’ve meet many Native American students who are dissatisfied with this issue and wonder if this ‘blessing’ from the tribe was actually made by the entire Chippewa nation as a whole…

  • MsD

    I agree, if the college is going to “honor” us with the name, then why not educate all their “smart” students about us so they can stop being so shallow-minded. If they knew more bout it, they wouldn’t be disregarding our culture as something that is unimportant. It may not be important to you, but then again I wouldn’t expect it to be. And all you Non-Native students with your purposeless comments, you probably don’t even know what your mascot IS (“Oh, its just an Indian guy or something…”) A chief is a person of great Honor, the Chippewa are people of great honor, not a mascot… Just because Tribal Council approved, doesn’t mean the entire population of Chippewa Indians (including those who are not even MEMBERS of this tribe) also approve.

  • chipskeptic

    And who was on the panel…….?

  • Rich

    The Chippewa Indian Tribe is a lot like the American government in that it elects “representitives” to make major decision. Even if all of the members of the tribe do not agree with the decisons made they stand…Does EVERY American person think that Universal Healthcare should be implemented? No. Does every member of the tribe think the university should have this as our nickname? probibly not, but it is what the elected representitives chose. As for educating the students about the Chippewa Indians, the state does require this…its in the curriculum of an elementary school, not the University. The degree requirements are already oversaturated with classes irrelevant to most students majors, as to make them a “more rounded” individual. If students wish to take these classes as an elective, that is their choice, and I applaud them for learning about a people who have given us something to cheer for and that represents us to the other universities.

  • Joe M.

    The Congress of American Indians, of which the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe is a member, voted unanimously that the use of mascots and nicknames should be ended. The Tribal leadership has basically, over the years, shrugged and said, “Okay, go ahead and use the name.” Remember, though, that this is the tribal leadership, folks who are connected to local and regional powers and folks whose first job is to look out for the financial well-being of their people.

    If you talk to most tribal members, they’ll tell you that CMU should do the right thing, not at the urging of the Tribe, but because it’s the right thing to do.

    People have forgotten that CMU used other nicknames and mascots before they adopted the Chippewa nickname (which they did in 1942, when not a single Native student attended). The students voted for the nickname, the tribe was not consulted, and there was absolutely no intent to “honor” anyone with the name. In fact, Coach Sweeney, who put forward the idea, did so because the nickname would “The Indian chief would be an outstanding marker for athletic uniforms, the Indian pow-wow could replace the pep-meeting and Indian ceremonies could be conducted on many occasions. School flags could be made much more attractive and finally all types of Indian lore have a strong appeal and could be used to great advantage.” No intent to honor, but instead a strange usurping of tribal identity.

    More later, including the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the Ten Conditions, and the CMU Student Government voting to ask the administration to re-asses the use of the nickname.

  • MsD

    Yeah but how much about us is required to be taught in Elementary School? How are we sure that its sufficient, and that it represents us correctly. We didn’t write the text, so we can’t guarantee this version of our story. Answer these questions and consider what the message this “required curriculum” is sending; How come my new neighbors (all three are CMU students from out of town) didn’t even know that Native’s still EXISTED, and lived among them? Why is it that they were in utter disbelief, if not shock, when we told them we were on our way to a Pow-Wow? If your children aren’t even taught that we still exist, how are they supposed to know that we are still a proud group of HUMAN BEINGS that, in spite of almost losing them, still have our own beliefs, traditions, and language? Is every child going to be so lucky to have a Native friend to fill them in? Are they all this ignorant? Judging by the posts above, we’re still dealing with generation littered with ignorance. These students cant even express sympathy because they probably don’t feel its necessary.

  • 80/90 Alum

    Why is this even being brought up again??? This was discussed many times before and the Chippewa tribe gave its blessing to CMU to use the name.

    If the Saginaw Chippewa tribe doesn’t have a problem with it, why should anyone else???

    Besides, its great publicity for the Chippewa tribe.

    I would think there would be more important things to write an editoral about than this.

  • http://cmlife chip90

    Evidently the CM Life Editorial Board knows whats best for The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.

    JoeM, apparently you didn’t know what the “nickname” was when you chose to attend CMU. If those that disagreed with the nickname before coming to Central disapproved, maybe you should have went else where.

  • Florence Schneider

    CMU and the Chippewa tribe don’t need racists like Jessica and the members of this whimsical panel deciding what is best for them. I am insulted and offended they would even recommend removing the name!

    They are haters!

  • Joe M.

    Chip90: You’re making the “Love it or leave it argument.” It’s the same tired argument that people who are afraid of any change always make. By that logic, the founding fathers should have simply abided by English oppression, Jesus should have never started any trouble, and MLK should have kept quiet or moved to another country. Progress never comes from the outside, it is a product of people working within institutions for change. Your argument has no validity. As a student I tried to change the name, along with a handful of others, but I didn’t start out wanting to change it. At first I thought just like most of the people on the board above.

    I hadn’t thought much about the nickname when I arrived at CMU, and in fact I had the same reaction that you see in the posts above the first time I spoke with someone who wanted to change the nickname. Then I read a study by a guy named Jeff Falcusan. Jeff is a CMU grad who did a survey of attitudes and beliefs about Native Americans, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, and the school’s use of the nickname. He interviewed dozens of CMU students and found that almost none of them knew a damn thing. The more I learned about the use and history of the nickname, the more it became apparant that the CMU community has never had any intention of honoring anyone. When the most egregious racism (dressing up like “Injuns”, face paint, etc.) could no longer be tolerated, the school and the boosters came up with the whole “honor” thing. How can you honor something you don’t know a thing about?

    When I was a student it became obvious to me that the proper thing to do was to gracefully set aside our use of the name of a Nation and choose another name. We’ve got almost a half-dozen former names from which to choose, including the Bearcats, the Dragons, and the Normalites (bet you can’t come up with another NCAA team with the Normalites as a mascot).

    The Michigan Civil Rights Commission has asked us to change the name. So has the Congress of American Indians. The CMU Student Government Association asked the administration and Board of Trustees to examine the use of the nickname. The Tribe itself basically doesn’t want to get involved. I think, and this is only my speculation, that it is monetary consideration that keeps them from demanding CMU drop the name. Corporations pay millions of dollars for name placement on stadiums and events, but the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe has a built-in placement by virtue of its assocation with CMU. Free advertising for the casino and Tribe with every mention of CMU, really. I don’t blame them for taking the gain that comes along with the theft of their identity, since they’ve suffered already the negative.

    Are you really so in love with the “Flying C” that you would rather have that than a real mascot? The school and the tribe won’t allow (and shouldn’t) any sort of mascot related to the tribe, so the best alternative is to change the nickname, change the mascot, and rally around something that can actually be used.

  • Rob Hayes

    I think the issue should be looked at if the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe truly takes issue with the CMU’s use of the nickname. CMU has removed all symbols that are blatantly offensive (such as the spears from the helmets) and I have seen students dressed in “indian” attire turned away from football games.

    The “Chippewa” is NOT a mascot. It is a representation of the relationship between the university and the tribe. Personally, I am proud of this relationship that has been established after so many sad points in Mount Pleasant’s history, (e.g. Native American boarding school). However, this issue is not for me, or any other students for that matter, to decide.

  • Florence Schneider

    Joe M and Jessica think the best way to honor the Chippewa tribe is to pretend it never existed. That way they don’t have to reach out and develop relationships with “those” people.

    I am extremely proud of CMU’s relationship with the Chippewa tribe and strongly oppose misguided efforts by some staff/faculty at CMU to marginalize and disrepect it.

  • AngryAlumniBee

    I would be repeating most of this thread if I expressed my opinion.

    I just want to say this *clears throat* “CHIPPEWA” AT CMU IS A NICKNAME. STOP REFERING TO IT AS A MASCOT!!! LOOK UP THE DEFINITION OF NICKNAME AND MASCOT, THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. CMU HAS BANNED THE USE OF A MASCOT IN REFERENCE TO NATIVE AMERICANS, CHIPPEWA IN THIS CASE. WE HAVE NO CHIPPEWA MASCOT. THE ONLY MASCOT WE HAVE HAS A BASKETBALL FOR A HEAD!!! AGAIN, STOP REFERING TO THE NICKNAME “CHIPPEWA” AS A MASCOT.

  • http://ecok.edu/cartogeo G A Plumb

    Isn’t the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe a significant advertiser and supporter of CMU Athletic events? If so, this is a non-issue.

  • CMUChip

    I wont consider this necessary until the Washington Redskins change their team name. I find that to be a thousand times more offensive to native americans than the use of the name Chippewas.

  • Steph M

    I am so glad people are protesting this! I was hoping majority of the University population would feel the way I do about this- that its bogus! There are more reasons to keep our ‘nickname’ than to change it so that is what it should come down to. Taking away the nickname of Chippewas strips the University of who it is. It is in the heart of the Chippewa reservation, it has a long going relationship with the Chippewa tribe, and for decades now has had students and student athletes graduate from it proud to call themselves “CMU Chippewas”. And besides all the mumbo jumbo Joe M said about who wants it changed and what their personal reasons may have been, his last paragraph clearly states his intention to support it and that would be because he doesn’t like rallying around the flying C. I think the flying C has been a strong mascot used on car stickers, uniforms (worn proudly), gym floors (great athletics), CMLife comics (always funny), T-shirts riding a Bronco, CMU Wear and more. Back off and let what has lasted for decades already last for centuries to come.

  • Jay

    Well.. Nicknames of schools and sports teams that have been in place for 50 to 100 years are offensive to somebody somewhere and therefore need to be changed.. What’s next?? The Spartans? I know they aren’t alive anymore but I’m sure Sparty will offend a historian or something. What about the Eastern Hurons? Oh that’s right, they are now the Eagles. Is PETA going to raise a stink over the use of an animal mascot? Where does it end?

    When is it absolutely necessary for the school or the students to understand the culture of their Mascott? Seriously, I am an alumni and have no ill feelings toward the Tribe but does every MSU student and Faculty know the complete culture of the Spartains? Can all of the people currently living in San Francisco tell you about the trials and tribulations of the 49ers? No.. But is that really wrong? If the criteria for use of the name was cultural awareness of the Chippewa Tribe as part of the CMU curriculum, would that change anything? Probably not..

    I am very proud to be a CMU Chippewa and the football game chants as we pointed toward the end zone will live with me forever, but if the Chippewa name is thrown out, I will be thrown out too. There will be no more tailgates, no more taking my son to see the school, no more donations. I will be done. The school will be fine and recover through issuing more parking tickets or something but I will no longer be a part of CMU.

  • Joe M.

    This has been and will continue to be a war of attrition. Will CMU be the very last Division I school in the U.S. with a racist nickname? First we had a mascot (you can’t change history, AngryAlumniBee), then when it became obvious that dressing like an “Injun” was a bit too hostile and ignorant, the school banned the mascot. A few years later a panel comprised of Tribal members, CMU faculty, staff, and students voted decisively to end the useage of the nickname. President Plachta, who had put together the commission, ignored its findings and continued the use of the nickname. Every group of legitimate stakeholders that has ever been formed has come to the same conclusion: it is simply not okay to usurp the name of a people for the “pageantry and showmanship” that was its original name. Just as the confederate flag is more than a simple banner, the history of this nickname, which was stolen without permission from the tribe, points to the larger history of opression, murder, kidnapping and dehumanization that lingers.

    The more information people have about this issue, the more likely they are to reject as legitimate the use of the nickname.

    Florence, the idea that there would be no relationship between the Tribe and CMU or its students without the use of the nickname is sickening. If the nickname is the only thing that connects the university and the Tribe, then there is no real connection at all. To be clear, that is not the case. Have you visited the reservation (aside from the casino)? Have you made any effort to learn Ojibwe or eaten at a potluck? Have you been to the Powwow in Rose Arena, seen the dancing? The opportunities to interact with members of the Tribe and to partner with them have nothing at all to do with a nickname.

    If you had to put a number on it, how many, what percentage, of Sagniaw Chippewa Tribal members need to be offended for this to change? Every person who identifies as Native American or as a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe on this board has asked for the nickname to be removed. It has been my experience that individual members of the tribe would like us to stop using the nickname. There are institutional pressures that account for the Tribe not officially asking us to change.

    For those who point to the Washington NFL team and say that CMU shouldn’t have to do anything until that is changed, I say: do what you can about the crap in your own backyard. Of course that horribly racist team should change its name, but we can do much more locally than we can about a privately owned sports franchise.

  • Joe M.

    Jay, when you group a living breathing group like the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe with now-extinct Spartans or with Eagles, you prove the point. The nickname dehumanizes our neighbors.

    People whose affiliation with the university is based on this topic can’t possibly have deep relationships with CMU anyway. When EMU changed their name there was a huge uproar from alumni who claimed they would never give money again. What happened? EMU’s endowment went up significantly the next year.

  • Br0manceroftheSTONE

    I vote for the Central Michigan Crimson Cranes.

  • Br0manceroftheSTONE

    Who cares? Really? We offend people with politically incorrect names all the time. This is good. By making everything PC, we emasculate ourselves.

  • Florence Schneider

    Joe M –

    To answer your questions…YES…I have done those things. And in my interactions with the Chippewa tribe, I have never once heard an objection to CMU’s use of its name.

    You, sir, are a racist attempting to push an entire people behind a wall and pretend they don’t exist. Celebrate the Chippewa! Celebrate CMU’s enlightened and beautiful relationship with the tribe. Condemn efforts of haters like Joe M to spit into the faces of an entire people by telling them only the white man can understand what is “offensive.”

  • http://inaholdingpattern.blogspot.com dmarks

    Asking Joo: Is the name that racist, if it is completely shorn of any stereotypical graphics and mascots? If it uses an actual legitimate version of a tribal name, and has no “fighting”, “warrior”, etc modifiers?

    Are there “tomahawk chop” chants at the football games that I haven’t heard about or something? Costumed chief mascots at tailgate parties?

    Jay said: “When is it absolutely necessary for the school or the students to understand the culture of their Mascott? ”

    If there is a mascot, as opposed to a mere team name, then I can see that there would indeed be a lingering problem. Jay, what does this mascot look like? Where have you seen him?

  • Joe M.

    Tell me one reason, Florence, why there would be less interaction with the tribe without the nickname. It’s absurd. The nickname has nothing at all to do with CMUs affiliation with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. Instead, it is proximity and a shared interest in the Mt. Pleasant area that provides the links between the school and the nation.

    There are dozens of tribes that call themselves Chippewa, Ojibwe, Anishinaabe. Only one tribe has been asked for their permission to use the name. There are thousands and thousands of other people who might consider themselves Chippewa, and I’ve heard personally from them that they don’t approve of the nickname. Tribal members on this board have said the use of THEIR name should be stopped.

    We who are not Chippewas should not use the Chippewa name. Another name does not diminish the pride I take in the school from which I graduated. Choosing another name is not pretending that the Chippewa don’t exist. CMU sits on reservation land, for god’s sake. I’ll not respond to your name-calling except to say that calling someone a racist and claiming that only white people want to change the nickname is ignoring members of the tribe on this board who have asked for a change. It is also ignoring the widespread ignorance about the history of the nickname that is evident whenever this topic comes up.

    Eventually this shameful and sick display of identity confusion will come to an end and something more suitable will be chosen. The writing is on the wall as university after university chooses the high road and retires their use of names and mascots. There are only five remaining Division I school which use a nickname. All of them will, eventually, move on. I hope CMU is not the last.

    I understand the knee-jerk reactions that people have to changing the name because a long time ago that was my reaction, as well. But I’ve talked to enough students with no clue about the history of the nickname, and I’ve spoked with enough members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, and I’ve read enough statements from other people that identify themselves as Chippewas to know that, despite a natural resistance to change, the only honorable thing to do is retire the nickname and go back to the Bearcats. Or the Normalites (which is my vote).

  • Florence Schneider

    Joe M lies.

    There is been no opposition – ZERO – from any – repeat ANY – Native Americans to Central Michigan University’s current use of the name “Chippewa.”

    Joe conveniently ignores the FACT that tribal leaders have expressed strong SUPPORT for continued use of the name.

    For CMU to arbitrarily turn its back on tribal leaders and the thousands of Native Americans who passionately support CMU’s current, respectful and meaningful use of the “Chippewa” name is enough for make one bristle with anger.

    White folks like Joe M want to impose their will and preverences on minorities “for their own good.”

    Joe…the Chippewa people, and Native Americans, are capable of speaking for themselves, and have expressed their support of the Chippewa name LOUDLY and clearly. Unfortunately, you don’t respect them enough to hear them.

    I’m insulted by your racist actions and opinions.

  • JP

    http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/9053699/

    They even have a mascot.
    Just sayin’.

  • Joe M.

    No opposition, huh?

    A CARRS (Center for Applied Research and Rural Studies) report given to President Rao in 2000 on the Chippewa nickname finds that “Native American students were described as being unequivocally opposed to the appropriation of the Chippewa name.”

    The CARRS study goes on to report that in interviewing Native American students about the use of the nickname, a significant portion of Native students desired the name be changed.

    From the CARRS report: “Indeed, my inquiry to a very knowledgeable tribal offical resulted in his characterization of tribal reaction to this issue as being very divided: 1/3 opposed to the nickname, 1/3 suportive of the nickname, and 1/3 largely disinterested.”

    Granted, these numbers are not overwhelmingly in favor of change, but, as Joe Sowmick admits, the tribe itself has never been asked if they approve. Only the Council has weighed in.

    “Joe Sowmick, the tribe’s public relations director, spoke in favor of the nickname. The tribe has a long relationship with the university but hasn’t polled its membership on the use of “Chippewas” (From a Saginaw Chippewa press release).

    In addition, other groups represnting various Chippewa peoples have voiced their concern with the nickname, including the National Congress of American Indians (ncai.org) which has passed resolutions condemning stereotypical imagery and associations and has aggressively campaigned for an end to mascots and nicknames.

  • http://inaholdingpattern.blogspot.com dmarks

    I’ve seen at least two references to a CMU Chippewa mascot here. Can anyone describe what this mascot looks like?

  • http://inaholdingpattern.blogspot.com dmarks

    JP provides a link for a CMU mascot, but it actually shows a Florida Seminoles mascot.

  • Jay

    Well.. Just a few more points.

    Joe, So if the Chippewa were extinct, you would be in favor of the nickname.. Hmmm.. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if the group is still around or not, if the name is being used in a disgraceful way then it needs to be stopped. If the name is respected, let it ride and enjoy the publicity.

    It seems to me that there was a board of Chippewa representatives at one time that agreed with CMU’s use of the nickname. Money exchanged hands and that was that. Since then the Chippewa benefited greatly through the years from the University utilizing the Chippewa nickname. Now you say that there are members on the board that want CMU to change the name.

    What changed? Were students well versed in the Chippewa culture then? If this is the criteria then the school can add some Chippewa culture into the necessary curriculum.

    Does the Tribe believe they are not really benefiting financially anymore from the agreement? If this is the case, then this is truly a selfish decision to strip the name away from the university after years of profitability and growth from the marketing.

    Does CMU in any way disgrace the Chippewa name? I haven’t seen it.

    I personally believe that somewhere along the lines, money is involved. Make no mistake people, these are two entities that are profitable and they both make money on the Chippewa name. There are funds exchanging hands due to the nickname and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a continual battle over the dollar between the two organizations.

    Either way, I actually don’t care what the issue is. If the issues are not resolved and the name is changed, I will not support CMU or the Chippewa Tribe anymore. No more weekend trips to the casino with a show and some gambling. No more donations. Again, they both will move on and not miss me but I have made my decision. All of the people on here complaining have the same right that I will evoke.

    Everyone has to make their decisions and deal with the consequences. The Tribe, The university, and you. Are you just going to post comments on here one way or the other and then still support them after the fact? What is your decision?

  • Joe M.

    Of course, the Chippewa are not extinct, Jay, so that’s a bankrupt argument, even if it weren’t attempting to put words in my mouth.

    I didn’t claim that board members (actually, tribal council members) supported a change. I quoted a report that referred to an anonymous “tribal official.” The same report referenced two “prominent” tribal members who had joined a group dedicated to ending the use of the name.

    CMU has a history of perpetuating stereotypes about Native Americans generally, and the Chippewa people specifically. Regalia, drumming and chanting were all heavily featured until the 1989 committee developed the 10 conditions for keeping the Chippewa nickname (maybe 5 of which have arguably been implemented, by the way). I have seen students and alumni, each and every year, display insulting attitudes toward the Chippewa people. In fact, I’ve seen and heard at tailgates people chanting: “Indians aren’t people.” Granted, this was in 1999 or 2000, and nothing this vehement in recent years comes to mind. But the NCAA football video game a few years back featured a crowd scene with people dressed in “native” regalia.

    CMU has not fulfilled the ten conditions set forth for keeping the nickname. It does not make any serious attempt at educating students about the tribe. CMU does make an effort to keep the most blatant of stereotypes out of the stadium, but that falls well short of “honoring” anyone.

    Jay asks a question: What choice will I make if the school keeps or changes the nickname. I’ll do what I’ve done for ten years. I’ll continue to treasure my time at CMU because the time I spent there was rich and helped form who I am. And I will continue to urge the school to change a nickname with a troubling past. They aren’t mutually exclusive. I love CMU. I’m not so fond of their nickname. I’d like them to change a lot of things, and as a stakeholder it’s my job to voice that desire.

  • Paul

    Really Joe, you’re gonna play the NCAA 05 card? A company that is in no way affiliated with CMU put in a fan dressed in an Indian headdress in one of the crowd scenes, and when both the Tribe and the school complained about it, EA sports removed the scene from all future versions of the game, and sent the school the PS2 and Xbox versions of the game so they could verify there were no stereotypes in it.

    So in summary, you’re NCAA 05 argument has exactly nothing to do with the issue at hand.

    PS, would you consent to the Central Michigan Fighting Joe M’s? It has a nice ring to it and we will continue to use the name with respect and honor.

  • Joe M.

    I’ll absolutely point to any and all indications that using the name of a people and a nation leads to confusion. The makers of a game portrayed students dressed in inaccurate regalia only because of the university’s association with the nickname. If other schools that hadn’t co-opted tribal names also had fans in the crowd dressed in supposedly native american garb, your point would be a little more valid. But it was precisely the university’s use of the nickname that caused the makers of the game to insert the racist and stereotypical clothing and paint. So… yeah, I’ll bring it up. You could also make the argument that each individual student in the past (and it happens every year) who dressed up in their idea of what native americans wear is operating independently (like the manufacturers of the game). It doesn’t change that the only reason people put on “Indian” face paint and fringed buckskin is because the university uses the Chippewa name.

    Of course EA changed the game. The point is that the game or any other item (t-shirts, flags, bumper stickers) made by an outside entity can have the potential to perpetuate stereotypes, with or without the consent of the university or the tribe, for as long as CMU uses the nickname.

    I can see you rolling your eyes at the idea of stereotypes. What harm do they do, right? Well, the American Psychiatric Assocation has declared, bluntly, that the stereotypes of native americans in our culture have devestating effects on native children, leading to higher rates of suicide and depression. CMU is a part of that, no matter how inconvenient it might be.

  • Frank

    How about the Central Michigan University “Metro-Detroiters?” Or something that reflects the student body more accurately. How many of these kids who honor the Tribe and the community have ever been North of Broadway or East of US-27?

  • Adam

    I guess I do not see why this is such a big deal. It is an honor the Chippewa native american tribe that CMU is known as the Chippewas. I have never seen anybody use the Chippewa name in a derogatory fashion. I respect the Chippewa tribe for allowing the University to use the nickname and would be severly disappointed in both parties if the nickname was changed. I have never seen anybody dressed up at a football game as a native american so any mention of that must have been before my time since I have attended every home football game for the past 4 years.

  • CHIPPEWA3670

    1. The tribe approves of the name.
    2. The name has been treated with respect.
    3. There is nothing offensive about it. Just because a handful of ridiculous professors and students want to point fingers and claim that the name is offensive to the tribe, does not mean CM Life should encourage others to join in.

    This article is completely ridiculous. The tribe has given its blessing, there have been no offensive incidents, find something worth writing about. The name should stay the same. To change the name would be offensive in itself, to the entire student body, all alumni, and the tribe, who support us.

  • Matt

    This is absolutely ridiculous!!! CMU and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe have a good relationship, the Chippewa name being assoiated with the University is something that the tribe supports as long as the name is not being disrespected. As far as I have seen from being on this campus for four years the Chippewa nickname has never been disrespected.

  • http://inaholdingpattern.blogspot.com dmarks

    It’s not my decision. But I’d tend to side with those whose decision it is to make, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. And it looks like they are OK with the “CMU Chippewas”, according to the two most recent comments.

    Joe said: “Well, the American Psychiatric Assocation has declared, bluntly, that the stereotypes of native americans in our culture have devestating effects on native children, leading to higher rates of suicide and depression. CMU is a part of that, no matter how inconvenient it might be.”

    Well, the first part is true, and there are still many famous examples of atrocious stereotype mascots. However, I am seeing a complete lack of evidence for the last sentence. We need something better than a linked example of a CMU Chippewa mascot that actually shows another school in another state.

  • Justin

    So, I’m currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois, and an alumnus of Central Michigan University. I am also a Sault St. Marie Chippewa Tribe member. In the unique situation that I am in, I have seen firsthand the terrible way in which the University of Illinois’s mascot Chief Illiniwek was portrayed. I have also seen the way that CMU has kept honor to the tribe. I do understand the frustrations of some, but CMU has done much for the tribe, and the tribe has done much for the university. With a spot for an annual powwow, a place for the cultural learning, and a place to even learn Ojibwe, CMU has been exemplary in how to handle Native American issues. For that matter, unlike many of the other Native American mascot sports teams, CMU doesn’t even have a mascot. That in and of itself shows the respect CMU has for its neighboring nation. I found much pride in being a Chippewa and a CMU Chippewa during my time at CMU. I do not believe that the Chippewa nickname should be removed.