Chancellor Offends UA Native Americans

Members of the University of Arkansas’ Native American Student Association were flabbergasted when Chancellor John White spoke at the group’s annual pow wow in Barnhill Arena on Oct. 24.

During this ritual ceremony celebrating Native American heritage, White opened his address by saying, “Let’s see how well you all follow directions.” He then instructed the group to call the Hogs.

White spoke on the history of Barnhill Arena and talked about the women’s sports program, saying the volleyball team had “Oriental, Hispanics and African-American players.” He then noted that the UA has 300 Native American students, and “We care about Native Americans.”

Although White was trying to brag about the cultural diversity of the UA, the Native American students were largely offended by the address.

“There must be a point where this part of his job ends and cultural sensitivity begins,” Jason Hight, a UA student and member of the Cherokee Nation, wrote in a letter to the student newspaper. “Chancellor White failed to show any sensitivity or even understand how to show it.”