Final answer:
University of Illinois alumni argued that Chief Illiniwek honored the Illiniwek people, but after 20 years of protests by Charlene Teters and others, the mascot was retired in 2007. The broader movement criticizes such mascots for perpetuating stereotypes, and organizations like the NCAI have campaigned against them, with varied success. Some universities have worked with tribal nations to ensure respectful representation of indigenous symbols in their mascots.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to Charlene Teters' protests against the University of Illinois' mascot, Chief Illiniwek, and the subsequent movement to eliminate the mascot, university alumni and fans often argued that the mascot was meant to honor the Illiniwek people. Despite a long campaign by Teters and other activists that lasted approximately 20 years, it wasn't until 2007 that the university decided to retire Chief Illiniwek as its mascot. Such mascots have been the subject of considerable debate, with critics arguing that they perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to the disrespect of Native American cultures, while some supporters claim they honor these cultures. Throughout the campaign to remove these mascots, many initiatives and protests arose, such as the Not Your Mascot protest aimed at the then Washington Redskins. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and other organizations like the American Indian Cultural Support (AICS) worked diligently to change public perception and push for the elimination of offensive mascots in both professional and educational spheres. In some cases where the usage of indigenous symbols was retained, there have been collaborations with tribal nations to ensure respectful and accurate representation, like with the University of Utah and Florida State University. Despite such collaborations, the debate and political divide on the subject of Native American mascots continue to be prevalent. The movement against such mascots has seen partial success, and social and political pressures have occasionally prompted legislative and organizational responses to address these concerns.