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Tallahassee, FL. - Native American leaders Michael Haney and Vernon Bellecourt met with Sandy D'Alemberte, current Florida State University President, this morning, to assess the progress of a plan outlined six years ago. The plan included the creation of an International Center for Indigenous Studies, an endowed Chair within this program, and the active recruitment of American Indian faculty and students. Even though a few entry level courses on Indigenous Studies were added, both leaders found that, overall, the agreed upon plan has not been implemented. An indication of FSU's failure to recruit Native American students is blatant at the Law School where out of 638 law students only approximately ten are American Indian. Indian law student Travis Trueblood expressed his support for the leaders' demands.

"Implementation of this plan is the least Florida State University can do to try to rectify the damage they cause by having an Indian mascot" stated Mr. Bellecourt. The National Coalition in Sports and the Media (NCRSM) upholds that as long as Native Americans are viewed as caricatures or people locked in the past, the problems that affect Indian people will never be seriously addressed. In addition, the NCRSM, points to numerous studies that demonstrate the direct negative effect of these images on Indian children and young adults. Some statistics show that 1 out of 5 Indian children attempt suicide. "The FSU mascot is a cancer on one of the best collegiate football teams, that permeates the whole University. We want the tomahawk chop, and the Chief Hollywood chants to stop", added Bellecourt.

These leaders and supporters will gather tomorrow at 8 a.m. to march through four blocks of the FSU campus to the Doak Campbell Stadium where they will hold a rally and Press Conference at the South end of the stadium, Gate E. The demonstration will be covered by an ESPN crew as part of "Outside the lines" a special program on Indian mascots in sports, to be aired November 16th, 1999 at 7 p.m. EST.