"I hesitated to wade into the debate about the NCAA's recent ruling regarding UND's logo. I hesitated because so much already has been said so many times over - whew. Yet, there is a need to clarify why the names of cities and rivers are different from the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. My other concern is about the surveys that seem to be treated as real evidence.

UND President Charles Kupchella and former UND president Tom Clifford say we have place names such as Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Big Sioux River and Little Sioux River. So why not Fighting Sioux?

Well, Mr. Presidents, it's the difference between buildings, cities, rivers and human beings. I see no city or river feeling insulted when a student stands beside it, cupping his hands and yelling, "Big Sioux River, you suck." Rivers hardly babble at the thought, and a city on the receiving end of such a slur might belch only a little pollution."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Sioux City stays if UND Sioux goes (The Grand Forks Herald 9/14)

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