Native Americans hope Illinois lawmakers can transfer stolen land, ban racist school mascots

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers could pass several pieces of legislation this spring to help Native Americans across the state. 

One proposal could support the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's goal to reclaim land stolen from them more than 200 years ago. The measure would allow Illinois to transfer ownership of Shabbona Lake State Park to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Sponsors and advocates told reporters in Springfield Thursday that the park and houses surrounding it currently sit on reservation land in DeKalb County. 

Chief Shab-eh-nay is the great grandfather four generations removed of Joseph Rupnick, Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

"In the 1850s when Chief Shab-eh-nay traveled to his home after we were forcibly removed from Illinois to Kansas to make sure the nation was settled, the government stole the land and illegally auctioned off more than 1,200 acres of his land that was rightfully and legally ours," Rupnick said.

Leaders said they are committed to keeping Shabbona Lake State Park open to the public and to improve infrastructure if the bill is signed into law. Democrats hope the legislation gains strong bipartisan support over the coming months.

"The governor has shown his support conceptually," said Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights). "The details of this deal are not finally settled. But the Department of Natural Resources has been cooperative and helped with this. We're going to get there."

Walker has gained 16 Democratic co-sponsors for House Bill 4718. Although, the plan is still in the House Rules Committee.

Lawmakers could also approve a plan to ban K-12 schools from using Native American logos or mascots. The Native American Chamber of Commerce said the presence of Native mascots, logos and names harm Native children.

Dr. Megan Bang, Director of the Northwestern University Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, said these mascots create a hostile learning environment and perpetuate dehumanization.

"Their pervasive presence in schools has demonstrated time and time again to not only harm children, but they create a society that operates on inaccurate information and harmful perceptions," Bang explained.

Illinois schools would be allowed to use uniforms or other materials with Native names, logos or mascots until September 1, 2027. Although, those schools must select a new mascot that does not violate the ban, refrain from selling prohibited school or athletic items with banned mascots, and remove the banned logo the next time their property is remodeled.

"As a Black man, I can empathize with what this community is going through," said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). "If the Black community has support into moving our cause forward, we need to make sure the Native American community has the same support moving their cause forward."

West has been leading the effort to remove racist school mascots since he took office in 2019. He was also the lead sponsor of legislation last year requiring Illinois schools to teach Native American history.

West's co-sponsor, Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake), said this could be an opportunity for schools to create a more inclusive learning environment for students and staff.

"I'm a former public school teacher and I taught in a school that had and still has a racist mascot today," Faver Dias stressed. "It was an offensive mascot and a caricature of an American Indian. I saw firsthand the divisiveness that it created among our students and within our larger school community."

Sponsors and advocates explained they are focused on addressing the Native American mascots in K-12 schools because many Native American children are constantly made fun of and hear racist comments in school. 

West filed House Bill 5617 on February 9. The proposal has not been assigned to a House committee at this time. 

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