Chief Illiniwek was the official mascot of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1926 until 2007. He was portrayed as a Native American figure who performed traditional dances at sporting events, symbolizing the university's connection to the Illini people, a group of Native American tribes in the Midwest. The use of Chief Illiniwek became controversial over the years, with critics arguing that it perpetuated stereotypes and disrespected Native American culture. In 2007, the university decided to retire the mascot in response to these concerns, leading to ongoing discussions about the representation of Indigenous peoples in sports and education.