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Opinion
Opinion: 'Sioux' lawsuit could hurt North Dakota


"A sense of celebration seems to prevail in North Dakota in the wake of the Board of Higher Education's decision to sue about the Sioux nickname.

The vote was 8-0, after all, and that indicates a level of certainty and a sense of confidence.

These are not my feelings after the vote. Instead, I feel a sense of consternation and concern.

The concern is that North Dakota will be diminished by this lawsuit. Publicity about it will make us seem stiff-necked and mean-spirited.

Even if the NCAA's committee was self-righteous.

Even if its decision is political correctness run amok.

Even if the action was arbitrary.

Even if UND was singled out unfairly."

Get the Story:
MATTERS AT HAND: UND's nickname lawsuit could harm North Dakota (The Grand Forks Herald 6/18)

NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006)

NCAA Staff Decision on Fighting Sioux:
Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on University of North Dakota Review(September 28, 2005)

NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com
North Dakota Board of Higher Education - http://www.ndus.nodak.edu/sbhe
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html

National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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