School says 'Chief Illiniwek' headdress was returned

The University of Illinois says it has already returned a headdress and eagle feathers that were used by the controversial "Chief Illiniwek" mascot.

Lakota elder Frank Fools Crow sold the headdress, the feathers and some other items to the school in 1982. The school says it returned the headdress and feathers several years later, in 1991.

Fools Crow's grandson, Mel Lone Hill, told The Chicago Tribune he has the items but wants the rest of the regalia back. He said the executive committee of the Oglala Sioux Tribe shouldn't have demanded their return.

The committee, citing Lone Hill's disapproval of how the items are used by the "Chief," passed a resolution denouncing the mascot.

Get the Story:
University: Illiniwek feathers returned (AP 1/22)
Illiniwek fight gets a twist (The Chicago Trbune 1/21)
pwday

NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org

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