[LM_NET] wikipedia and "Chief Illiniwek"

[Debbie Reese <debreese@UIUC.EDU>]

>Any article in Wikipedia can be edited by any user at any time.  Many
>articles are monitored by self-appointed, volunteer experts.  They are
>alerted whenever an article on their topic is edited.  Most cases of
>misinformation are corrected very quickly.  Most of these
>editors/monitors know what they are talking about and do a good job.
>But there is always the chance that your students will access an article
>after some bozo has changed it and before a knowledgeable editor can
>correct it.  Do you want to take that chance?

Wikipedia has a page specifically about Chief Illiniwek, the controversial 
symbol/mascot of the University of Illinois. When I learned about it a few 
weeks ago, I visited the page and added information about the American 
Indian Student organizations at UIUC and their history of engaging with the 
administration over the symbol/mascot and the need for an American Indian 
Studies program and cultural house. As a member of the student 
organization, and as president of the organization for several years, I 
consider myself a knowledgeable person who can speak from experience about 
Native American students experience and activity around the symbol/mascot. 
But I don't have time to monitor the wikipedia site. I went to it 
yesterday, prompted by the LM_NET post about it. I see that someone has 
removed my additions. I re-inserted them, but I expect them to be removed 
again.

A significant problem with the media coverage (and the Wikipedia site, too) 
is that they describe this controversy as "pro-" or "anti=Chief" and 
almost, without fail, disregard the voice of Native people on campus, who 
assert that we aren't "anti-" or "pro-Chief." Our concerns are on many 
levels, and we have chosen to define our efforts on campus as "pro-Native 
American."  Our comments are not inflammatory or provocative. As a leading 
spokesperson, my comments sound just like this post now.

So---like anything else---Wikipedia should be viewed critically.

Debbie




Debbie A. Reese, (Nambé Pueblo)
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native American House
Room 200, MC-139
1206 W. Nevada Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801

TEL 217-265-9870
FAX 217-265-9880
http://www.nah.uiuc.edu
Email: debreese@uiuc.edu  

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