Indian-Styled Mascots, Masculinity, and the Manipulated Indian Body: Chief Illiniwek and the Embodiment of Tradition

In the creation and use of ethnicized sports team mascots such as those based on notions of the constructed idealized Indianness of Native Americans, white male identity is coupled to their use and presentation. From historical to contemporary contexts of such use, the body of the Indianized other as mascot becomes the contested site for these cultural appropriations. The manipulated body of the Indian mascot is presented for the public gaze in stark contrast to the reality of Native American lives and realities. The consumptive aspects of these public displays reinforce stereotypes grounded in historical experiences based on power and hierarchy by white males through popular culture media and texts. As a product of colonialized interactions, Indian mascots are presented as the preferred type of Indian allowed for public display rather than the reality of indigenous peoples such as Native Americans.