Controversy of Fighting Sioux nickname continues
August 28th, 2007
The nickname of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is the “Fighting Sioux.” Many tribal people and some tribes have vehemently demanded the university to change that name.
But it is reported today that the veterans group on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is backing the University of North Dakota’s controversial “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo. The vote by the governing board came during a meeting with Sam Dupris, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a Korean War veteran. Dupris is serving as an “envoy” for the Ralph Engelstad Arena, which is decorated with thousands of Indian symbols and features a sculpture of an Indian on a horse.
UND has been placed on the NCAA’s list of schools with hostile and abusive Indian mascots. The school is suing NCAA in order to keep using the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo at postseason tournaments.
January 5th, 2008 23:14
I think it highly hypocritical for the Washington Post to write articles regarding The controversy over the University of North Dakota’s nickname of “Fighting Sioux”, when there very paper makes millions of dollars selling papers covering the most racist of all nicknames “Redskins”. At least the University of North Dakota had a Native American redo the logo, as I am sure the “Redskins” logo was not designed by a Native American. The simple truth its about the money, North Dakota is an easy target and thats why all the self-righteous white liberals in Washington DC go after them, yet these same people support the “Redskins”. What a bunch of stinking communist hypocrites . The Sioux are a great people, and if the vast majority of them decide they want the name removed then it should be honored. My hope is they will work something out with the University of North Dakota, as the school sponsors three pow wows a year to educate non-Native Americans, and educate more Native American Doctors than any other school in America.However, if this happens then the Washington “Redskins” should also change their name as well. Something tells me that The Washington Post wont let this happens.
June 12th, 2008 14:47
I think that the truth has come out. The Standing Rock veterans have rescinded their support of UND’s stereotypical logo and nickname and have, instead, deferred to the tribe’s resolution opposing the name. Mr. Dupris is misrepresenting himself in Indian Country and has no business approaching tribes or working for the Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Engelstad Family Foundation, or any other pro-logo and nickname organization because he is blatantly disrespecting his very own culture when he does so. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has already said that they oppose the name and logo and Mr. Dupris, as a member of that tribe, is completely ignoring his own WoLakota Society by doing what he is doing. Shame on him, shame on UND and most definitely shame on the Engelstad Family and the Arena.
May 22nd, 2009 11:06
wrong. spirit lake is the only tribe who have voted and they approved the use of the nickname and logo with a majority vote of 67.7%.
based on polling, standing rock would likely approve the usage as well, but their tribe leader must first allow the issue to go to a vote.
this whole issue has been ridiculous from the start. clearly the nickname and logo were and are intended to show respect for a great people; not to demean. why on earth would a university choose a nickname and logo that are designed to show hatred? university students and alumni love their nicknames and logos, they’re not designed to be cruel, they’re designed to be respectful.
the ironic part is folks like “offended” try to make it seem as though the nickname and logo are somehow offensive, which is a big slap in the face to members of these tribes.
do us all a favor and get your facts straight junky.
August 2nd, 2009 08:17
The simple truth of the matter is, if it weren’t for UND using the “fighting Sioux” nickname and logo, no one would even take notice of the American Indian Culture. UND has done so much for the Native Americans in ND it makes me sick. They have special programs and privileges all over campus. UND has gone far out of its way to promote their culture on campus and aid them in whatever way they can. They should be thankful. I sure wish some of that money could be used for other things to benefit all students. Or how about the Polish (I’m polish) have special programs and classes for such areas as nursing or medical studies, etc. I don’t want to have to compete with everyone else either. Maybe I should go to one of the colleges that they have on the reservations, oh wait, I’m not Native American so I can’t. Hmmm, where’s the discrimination there?
The funny thing is, this whole thing is going to backfire. Instead of people being proud to support the UND “Fighting Sioux”, they are only going resent them.
October 21st, 2009 10:50
Traditional symbols and names should not be made controversial. They are the gifts of our ancients.
April 9th, 2010 20:15
I do believe in fairness and justice but I’m not sure what justice is being served if: the majority of UND students who want to keep the logo, who’ve sacrificed funds,studies, or association space, entrance acceptance into programs who have higher GPAs than native american applicants i.e. nursing program at UND who are “required” to allow a number of native american indians into their program even if there are whites, asians, blacks, hispanics, etc. who have a higher GPA average and more significant applicant accomplishments,privileges, etc on our campus to encourage the heritage of one race, are having the representative name and logo which has helped mold and define the native american studies and active programming, grant and federal funding for adding more programs to make our school more diverse and educated to the native american heritage make sense.Many have been proud to declare arm and arm with them a name we’ve carried as our banner of tradition and honor for decades. Many feel we aren’t being served justice by being bulldozed to take the prideful logo and name away. If programs for native american indians for nursing or the medical field are in place because it’s owed to them for what conquerors did who came to this country in the 1700s and 1800s, I ask you, how much longer do all of the other races and heritages and citizens of the North Dakota have to pay back or suffer for things not all of our ancestors had anything to do with? We also didn’t have anything to do with the reasons why Sioux tribal members take hardship with the name in the first place. We are people who have been born and raised from the past several decades, not centuries, and we took on the name of the Sioux as a prideful venture. Since that is not being recognized and taken over, alot of this does not make sense. There are many native american indian students who agree this is a sad sad day. I have a few native american friends who I’ve known for over a dozen years who agree with me on these issues and some that disagree. Much like their opinions, we may not agree, but we respect one another’s ideas, thoughts, and educational backgrounds on these and other matters.
Some of their issues against the logo is that it does not signify a pleasant or positive image of the Sioux, that anyone who uses the name does not really know the full and true meaning behind the name and therefore shouldn’t have the right to use it, that it sheds a negative light and is discriminatory in nature. I have always said this, I am part German and am embarrased of what the Nazi’s took from this world, I’m part Irish and Spanish, and even French. I could go back in the history of each of my backgrounds and cry discrimination if people called me the Fighting Irish like Notre Dame does, or The SUndevils and go against some religious belief. Instead, I would say as an educated and understanding modern individual that I support a logo or name that would offer a prideful image of my arma mater. Sometimes we look too deep and dont enjoy what’s in front of us. We make issue for things that are misconstrued or misinterpreted by a minority few.
I praise the Englestad family for standing strong and not entertaining this bulldozing event. Any person who carries distaste for the logo I respect your opinion as you should mine. It’s the freedom of speech which makes this a possibility to say something from the heart and mind from all. If you look on this blog you will see both sides of the issue, but a logical and well-said thought on one, was that schools who have logos have them based on their pride for their school and athletic teams. If the Sioux logo was something to be ashamed of we would have never supported it in the first place as a school, a student body, or community. So in other words, the sentiment that we are using it as a ploy for racism is simply absurd and reflects ignorance about what white, black, asian, spanish, native american indian, and many other races who believe here at UND, that we are proud to be the “Sioux” and always will be. That they cannot take this pride from us.
November 15th, 2010 12:10
When I attended UND in the 1960′s we always said the University of North Dakota Sioux. We did not throw in the adjective “fighting”. Has anylody ever thought of this easy solution? In later years people have been adding the word “fighting” to the team name.
March 24th, 2011 15:33
Most people are ignorant on this issue. One of the comments was saying how the Native Americans owe something to UND for having so many Native American programs, if those are only there for the logo than get rid of them it will just show how much UND “cares” for Native Americans. Seems like UND is just trying to make the Native Americans happy so they can keep the logo
I have personally experienced racism and been hurt by the logo. No the supporters may not see why the opposers would want the logo gone and that is because you don’t understand the minority’s point of view.
People keep saying that this is a “majority rules” issue, OK if every issue was that way than do you think the African Americans would come as far as they have today? DO you think they would go decades just sitting there watching racism and stereotyping hurt others of the same heritage/race/ethnicity just because the majority wanted it that immoral way. No they wouldn’t.
That is why Native Americans and other good people of all races oppose the logo. They see how it hurts their people and students. Sure ONE of the Sioux tribes approved it but I hardly see any mention of the 2 other Sioux tribes that OPPOSED IT. There was no need for a formal poll or vote to see how many people wanted to keep it because the Tribal Leaders KNEW that their members wanted the logo gone. I am tired of hearing that most Native American’s want to keep the logo this is so untrue. If you go on the bridges website on UND they have dozens of tribal letters, in fact most tribes in MN, SD, and ND oppose the logo but where are those mentions in the media?
Trust that those that oppose the logo will not just bow down to the majority. Ironic that at the same legislative meeting where they voted on the bill to KEEP the logo, they shot down all the other bills that would help prevent drug use, violence, better the education for Native Americans, and every other bill trying to better native Americans. Ironic how int he heat of the controversy UND canceled the huge pow wow they hold each year.
Anti-Nickname supporters will keep fighting until this name is gone. I wonder how UND and its students/alumni will treat Native American’s and their programs when the logo is gone.
March 24th, 2011 15:35
Yup, and I bet you didn’t know that Ralph Engelstad got in trouble for holding Nazi parties at his casino and hotels in Las Vegas. Or how much he engraved the logo in the REA into the floors, under a foot of marble, and EVERYWHERE to prevent UND from changing it. He wasn’t thinking of the Native Americans than, some rich man with millions, No that was the last thing on his mind.
In fact he wrote a letter to an opposer of the name saying, “If I was in charge (Or if it was up to me) I would fire your a*ses so fast you wouldn’t know what hit you”