"About three years ago, I wrote a letter that helped spark a different perspective on the logo issue, a perspective that resonated across the state and much of the nation (“Sioux: Embrace culture,” Page D2, March 23, 2008).

The letter used the logo issue as a way to reveal and address the hypocrisy and corruption that now plagues Native America. I revealed the unpopular facts of this issue: The permission already given by the Standing Rock governing body in 1969, the ceremony that cannot be undone, the evidence showing a two-thirds majority in support — evidence that has been proven true time and time again — and the hypocrisy of Indian tribes’ own athletic names and logos.

After all, if the nicknames are so derogatory, then why do we use them ourselves? Why does the anti-logo group not acknowledge this fact?

Common sense has brought this issue to where it is now. Since that letter this fight has taken many different directions, and now it lies in front of the North Dakota Senate.

What many senators do not realize is that the fight waged in favor of the logo by American Indians is a fight for our freedoms: our right to speak, our right to addresses grievances with the government, our right to live free from oppression, all the violations that have been bestowed on our Indian peoples due to this issue by our own governing bodies.

Our voices have been silenced by a few for far too long, and that’s what we seek to end. If we have not an opinion, then we have not freedom. We have not a majority voice and then have not a democracy."

Get the Story:
Represent the majority — Indian and non-Indian (The Grand Forks Herald 3/10)
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Other Opinions:
Bruce Conmy: UND’s proud nickname is worth fighting for (The Grand Forks Herald 3/10)
Shaun Puppe: Evidence refutes claims of nickname’s ill-effects (The Grand Forks Herald 3/10)

Related Stories:
North Dakota Senate committee votes against Fighting Sioux bill (3/9)
Opinion: Fighting Sioux name not an honor to Native Americans (3/7)
Letter: Tribes ignored as lawmakers fight to keep Fighting Sioux (3/7)
'The Indian and the White Guy' headed to North Dakota after all (3/4)
Comedy duo asked not to use 'Indian' during North Dakota show (3/3)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname an insult to Native Americans (3/2)
Letter: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe did not give up 'Sioux' name (2/23)
North Dakota House backs bill to save Fighting Sioux nickname (2/22)
UND University Senate opposes bills to revive 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/8)
Michael Eshkibok: Fighting Sioux a symbol of America's racist past (1/26)
Erich Longie: Too many lies for too many years on Fighting Sioux (1/24)
Letter: Board and tribes hold too much power over Fighting Sioux (1/20)
Letter: Respect tribal decisions about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/18)
Letter: Ask tribes in South Dakota about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/17)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' supporters must work through their grief (1/13)
Editorial: Republicans wasting time trying to save 'Fighting Sioux' (1/12)
North Dakota Republicans aim to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/11)