"The president of North Dakota’s Board of Higher Education was being kind when he said a judge’s edict regarding the University of North Dakota Sioux logo was “bizarre.” Richie Smith was reacting to a temporary injunction granted by Northeast District Judge Michael G. Sturdevant of Bottineau. The judge acted as part of a lawsuit brought by a group of nickname/logo supporters from the Spirit Lake tribe.
The ruling is more than bizarre. It seems just plain silly. It prevents the higher ed board from retiring the logo until a Dec. 9 hearing in front of the judge. The board had planned to discuss the logo at its Nov. 19 meeting.
Want more bizarre? According to The Associated Press, the Grand Forks attorney representing the Spirit Lake group, Pat Morley, has done legal work for the Engelstad Arena. The Engelstad family has been among the most vocal supporters of the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname. The arena is festooned with thousands of logos. Not to worry, said Morley. There is no financial link between his work for the tribal group and the arena folks.
Still more bizarre? It’s curious the judge would even grant the Spirit Lake supporters standing to seek an injunction. The logo and nickname in all their versions are owned by UND. North Dakota Sioux tribes, which certainly have a place in the logo discussion, have no legal legs on which to stand when it comes to the ultimate fate of the logo. The university and higher ed board have extended the necessary courtesy of including tribes in the debates, but when push comes to shove, the higher ed board must make the call."
Get the Story:Editorial: ‘Bizarre’ is putting it kindly (The Fargo Forum 11/12)
pwpwd Another Opinion:
Caroline Cheng and others, Grand Forks, letter: Keeping nickname invites ‘ongoing controversy’ (The Grand Forks Herald 11/12)
pwpwd Also Today:
Arena official denies role in UND nickname lawsuit (AP 11/12)
pwpwd Relevant Documents:
Order: Committee For Understanding and Respect v. North Dakota | Complaint: Committee For Understanding and Respect v. North Dakota | Letter to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Related Stories:
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