The National Congress of American Indians is an organization founded in 1944 whose mission is to “protect and enhance treaty and sovereign rights; secure our traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for our descendants; promote a common understanding of the rightful place of tribes in the family of American governments; and improve the quality of life for Native communities and peoples”
NCAI is the “oldest, largest, and most representative organization in the United States serving the broad interests of Tribal Nations and peoples” and it has endorsed the kingfisher as the new mascot for the University of Illinois.
Per the endorsement letter, which will be forwarded on to Chancellor Jones, the “NCAI urges the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign administration, Chancellor, and Board of Trustees to take prompt and decisive action to replace and rebrand the University’s mascot.” You can read the entire letter on the Kingfisher UIUC website.
Could 2023 be the year the U of I adopts a new mascot, the belted kingfisher? Both students and faculty are in favor.
Top image from the Kingfisher UIUC Facebook page.