"I'm glad to see that the Star Tribune recognizes in its recent editorial that North Dakota's use of Indian nickname and iconography is 'more complex' than some other cases. It is indeed, as I know from 34 years on the faculty there, during which time I never had a year when there were not Indian students in my office explaining how it eroded their educational experience at the university, damaged their children, made, in some cases, their very lives unsafe in Grand Forks.
The controversy undermines the educational life of the institution as well, as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) acknowledged after its accreditation review two years ago. Instead of addressing it in its 'diversity' section, it moved its concerns to the 'academic' portion of the report, saying 'continued use of the Indianhead logo and the 'Fighting Sioux' nickname reduces the university's ability to accomplish its purpose and diminishes its educational mission.'"
Get the Story:James McKenzie: UND's hurtful use of nickname complex, unwise (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 9/1)
pwlat NCAA Announcement:
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
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com
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 Related Stories:
Spirit Lake Nation members oppose 'Fighting Sioux' (8/31)
Tribes set to oppose 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (8/29)
UND president wavers on tribal support for 'Sioux' (08/26)
Editorial: Tribes have final say in mascot decisions (8/25)
Other universities encouraged by NCAA decision (8/24)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname hurts Natives (8/18)
Column: Nazi-loving Ralph keeps Indian logo alive (8/17)
Schools appeal NCAA policy on Indian mascots (8/15)
North Dakota governor criticizes NCAA policy (8/11)
Even more reaction to NCAA policy on mascots (8/10)
Editorial: Good riddance to 'demeaning' mascots (8/10)
Jeb Bush calls mascot policy 'offensive' to tribe (8/10)
NCAA announces revised Indian mascot policy (8/8)
Mixed reaction to change in use of mascots (8/8)
Opinion: Everyone, 'Fighting Sioux' is here to stay (05/16)
Editorial: UND's 'Fighting Sioux' report not truthful (5/6)
Group protests university's 'Fighting Sioux' name (03/28)
UND asked to study 'Fighting Sioux' name again (02/17)
School holding off on Indian mascot policy (01/17)
Campaign targets 'Fighting Sioux' items (01/08)
Defender of 'Fighting Sioux' name dies (11/27)
Activist sees growing anti-mascot push (11/26)
UND students holding mascot forum (11/21)
N.D. student group to host mascot forum (10/29)
NCAA panel wants Indian mascot review (10/16)
'Honkies' exhibit draws attention at school (10/8)
Opinion: Change 'Fighting Sioux' nick (10/4)
Editorial: UND gets off easy on 'Sioux' name (9/23)
Harassment festered over 'Fighting Sioux' (9/17)
Yellow Bird: 'Fighting Sioux' debate (4/22)
UND law school opposes 'Fighting Sioux' (4/4)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' not fight (3/26)
Minn. schools oppose mascots (2/22)
'Fighting Sioux' matchup to go on (10/23)
School: 'Fighting Sioux' is hate speech (10/22)
'Fighting Sioux' arena opens (10/9)
'Fighting Sioux' opponents rally (10/5)
'Fighting Sioux' statue wanted removed (10/4)
UND president finds LaDuke 'interesting' (10/4)
Letters: 'Fighting Sioux' controversy (10/4)
UND mascot conference opens today (10/3)
UND arena to have 'Sioux' statue (10/2)
'Fighting Sioux' arena to open (10/1)
Street for 'Fighting Sioux' friend sought (9/27)
'Fighting Sioux' school sets goals (9/26)
LaDuke to speak at mascot conference (9/11)
'Fighting Sioux' arena cost is $100M (8/16)
'Fighting Sioux' logo removed at school (8/3)
Letters: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (8/2)
Head of UND Indian Studies quits (5/30)
Means may protest 'Fighting Sioux' school (5/9)
'Fighting Sioux' School: Place For Indians? (3/29)
'Fighting Sioux' still debated (3/26)
Schools condemn Indian mascots (3/22)
'Sioux' school being investigated (3/15)
Tribe protests 'Fighting Sioux' charges (2/28)
'Fighting Sioux' protest held (2/26)
'Fighting Sioux' protest planned (2/22)
'Fighting Sioux' debate rages on (2/19)
'Sioux' controversy focus of talk, article (2/16)
AG won't investigate 'Sioux' decision (2/14)
Civil rights complaint against school (2/13)
Bill seeks to help 'Fighting Sioux' school (2/8)
Dispute over 'Fighting Sioux' continues (1/30)
'Fighting Sioux' supporter tied to school funds (1/29)
Board won't reconsider 'Sioux' vote (1/26)
'Fighting Sioux' discussion set (1/25)
Tribe blasts 'Fighting Sioux' decision (1/18)