The Grand Forks Herald publishes more reaction about the controversy over the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. The positive comments outweigh the negative ones this time.

Butt out, NCAA: "The NCAA sticking their noses into the mascot debate is ridiculous. The "Fighting Sioux" debate should stay between UND and the tribe. If the NCAA is allowed to step in and mandate these changes then Notre Dame better look out. The leprechaun is pretty offensive to short, feisty, Irish men."

Respect the tribes: "I am a non-native and it is long overdue for the community and UND to accept and respect Native Americans by creating a new logo. The continued fight is escalating negativity and misguided anger toward Indian programs and people. That is why this issue is a big deal!"

Get over yourself: "This whole thing about the name Fighting Sioux is unbelievable! What about the state name North Dakota, or where is the NCAA based, Indiana? Come on people, who ever is opposing the name, lets hear why this is bad?"

Embarrassed: "I am not Native American. I am an UND alumni. I am totally embarrassed by what those opposed to the NCAA ruling wrote into a recent Backtalk. Are these people really as ignorant and intolerant as they sound?"

Get the Story:
BACK TALK (The Grand Forks Herald 10/14)

More letters on 'Fighting Sioux'
Michael Timothy Davies: "Recently, I saw the Oct. 9 letter by Cliff Staples, Marcia Mikulak and six other members of the UND faculty and staff. The letter claims, among other things, that the continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname "perpetuates and fosters white racism." Thank goodness my family and friends are not likely to read the Herald and see that statement. For if they do, they will discover that I am The White Racist."

Merril Berg: "It's hard to understand UND President Charles Kupchella's continued struggle on the Fighting Sioux nickname. It's obvious that many Dakotah people view the nickname as offensive. I've been fortunate to have a 40-year relationship with the Spirit Lake Nation, including a role as the founding president of Candeska Cikana Community College. I have learned there often is a reluctance amongst Indians to get involved in controversy with the white community."

Get the Story:
IN THE MAIL : 'Don't expose me,' The White Racist begs (The Grand Forks Herald 10/16)

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

NCAA Policy:
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
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:
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' name unfair to tribes (10/13)
Experts say UND will lose 'Fighting Sioux' fight (10/10)
Opinion: Not everyone at UND supports 'Sioux' name (10/10)
Yellow Bird: All tribes have stake in 'Sioux' fight (10/6)
Letters: Backtalk proves 'Sioux' is hostile, abusive (10/6)
Dorgan, Conrad oppose 'Fighting Sioux' decision (10/4)
Backtalk: Reader comments on 'Fighting Sioux' case (9/30)
UND loses 'Fighting Sioux' appeal before NCAA (9/29)
Spirit Lake Nation's stance an issue in 'Sioux' fight (9/28)
Letter: UND president wants to trick tribes on 'Sioux' (9/27)
Spirit Lake Nation said to cancel UND meeting (9/27)
UND president to meet with Spirit Lake Nation (9/26)
Opinion: Why would Indians attend 'abusive' school? (9/26)
NCAA asks for tribal views on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/22)
Yellow Bird: Clearing the air on the 'Sioux' name (9/14)
Poll: 63 Indians want 'Fighting Sioux' nick changed (9/9)
UND president meets with Spirit Lake Nation on nickname (9/9)
Tribal panel discusses future of 'Fighting Sioux' name (9/8)
Spirit Lake Nation tables vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/6)
Turtle Mountain chair won't oppose 'Fighting Sioux' (9/2)
Column: UND should get rid of 'Fighting Sioux' nick (9/2)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' hurts Native students (9/1)
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)
School board votes to keep Sioux name (12/22)