Jodi Rave on Ward Churchill

Opinion:  Former professor Churchill perceived as impostor by manyIf the judge reinstates him, CU officials will get what they deserve.

Many of us Native people exercised our free speech more than a decade ago: We told the university Churchill isn't what he pretends to be.

I graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where I earned a journalism degree. While a student, I signed up for an Indians in Film class because I heard an Indian guy was teaching it. I was intrigued. I like film. And I appreciate Indian professors. At the same time, I also heard from several Native staff on campus that Churchill wasn't really an Indian.

I took his class, joining mostly white students. I can still see Churchill walking into the room to teach one day wearing sunglasses and no shoes. I wondered: What kind of Indian skips putting on his moccasins? As a student, I asked Churchill if I could interview him for one of my journalism assignments.

He agreed. We talked over several cups of coffee in the student union. I asked him about all the people who questioned his Indian identity. He said he was one-sixteenth Creek and Cherokee, and one-eighth on a good day.

A recent genealogical investigation by the Rocky Mountain News proved otherwise. Churchill's family tree shows he is an Indian in his own mind. Still, he plays the part. Hence, the red cloth and eagle feather that showed up in press photos and news stories during his wrongful termination trial in March.

For anyone who missed the eagle feather, the former ethnic studies professor did his best to convey some sort of connection to indigenous people. Churchill wore a bold-patterned, Native-designed jacket the day the jury announced a verdict. So, who is Churchill trying to convince with his tribal get-up?

When I saw Churchill with the eagle feather, I was reminded of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its special agents who are doing eagle feather raids across the country, busting what seems to be mostly Native people in illegal possession of the protected birds. It should be noted that only members of federally recognized tribes are allowed to possess eagle feathers. Perhaps federal agents should expand their undercover investigation to include white university professors.Comment:  I'd say Churchill's long hair is evidence enough that he's trying to persuade us of his Indian-ness.

There's something off about Churchill's hair, jacket, and feather. Like him, I try to take an indigenist viewpoint, but I've never felt the need to wear Indian accessories. In fact, most of the Indians I know don't wear Indian accessories (except maybe on special occasions). For the most part, they dress like everyone else.

For more on the subject, see Churchill Goes to Trial.