Opinion: Let Standing Rock vote on 'Sioux' nick

Opinion

Monday, July 13, 2009

"We would like to take this opportunity to convey our thoughts and feelings to our brothers and sisters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. We support the right of the people at Standing Rock to be heard and we support their efforts to have a say in the Fighting Sioux name and logo debate.

The Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Council respected the wishes of their people and understood that this issue was far too big and far too personal for just a small group of people to decide. This issue is not a political pawn. This issue is a very personal and individual matter that requires the input of each member of the tribe.

The vote at Spirit Lake gave our people an opportunity to tell the world how the Fighting Sioux name and logo makes each individual tribal member feel. The people of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe clearly told the world they feel good about the Fighting Sioux name and logo.

No matter what side of the issue they were on, almost unanimously, the people of Spirit Lake Sioux tribe are grateful for the opportunity to voice their opinion and respect the outcome of the people’s vote. We ask for our many relatives at Standing Rock to be given the same opportunity. Let’s put this issue to rest once and for all and get on with the task of tackling the real issues that impact us in Indian country.

Our people are a people of consensus and the only way for this matter to be resolved is to give the people a chance to voice their individual opinions on this very personal matter. We are willing to live with the results of such a vote, whatever the result may be."

Get the Story:
John Chaske: Spirit Lake in support of Standing Rock (The Grand Forks Herald 7/12)
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