Everyone's still talking about the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. The school has agreed to give up the name if it can't get the support of Sioux tribes within three years. Here's what newspapers, columnists and readers are saying.
The Fargo Forum says there is "little chance" that tribes will endorse the name. "There will be a new logo in three years, if not sooner," the paper says. "While there is tacit support among significant numbers of tribal members to keep the logo, their support does not translate into taking up the fight against those, on and off the reservations, who are adamantly and actively opposed to it," the paper adds.
Michael Eshkibok argues the name should go regardless of the settlement. "Sioux logo supporters studiously avoid discussing the long history of exploitation and racism when they defend symbols such as the Sioux logo. The issue reminds too many American Indians of their long history of exploitation and victimization by whites," the Ojibwe doctoral student at UND says.
James McKenzie says the settlement gives three years for UND to "harass" Sioux tribes. "It's time now to find some decency. Stop badgering the legal representatives of peoples whose origins in the Dakotas go back millennia before the European presence. They have spoken, and spoken, and spoken on the subject," the former UND professor writes.
The Dickinson Press is sad to see the nick and logo go. "The truth about the NCAA finding the UND nickname and logo to be “hostile and abusive” is political correctness gone flying off a buffalo jump," the paper says.
Meanwhile, one reader of The Grand Forks Herald thinks UND was "slandered" by the controversy. "After the labeling, UND's enrollment numbers declined while NDSU's numbers rose at an accelerated rate. Was it a coincidence? That's hard to believe," says Scott Kuntz.
Another reader is ready for a change. "UND should select a sports name and image that everyone can rally behind and share in the fun that should be college athletics," writes Judith Rieke.
Finally, someone in New Hampshire thinks it's acceptable to keep the logo. "I don't condone or accept racial insensitivity but sometimes I think we go too far," says Paul Briand, a "big fan of college athletics."
Get the Story:‘Fighting Sioux’ logo is history (The Fargo Forum 11/25)
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Michael Eshkibok: Nickname fails to pass 4-way test (The Grand Forks Herald 11/25)
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IN THE MAIL: ‘Hostile and abusive' label costs UND (The Grand Forks Herald 11/25)
James McKenzie: UND should show decency in the name debate (The Bismarck Tribune 11/24)
Editorial: Time sadly comes for a logo shift (The Dickinson Press 11/24)
Paul Briand: When good mascots go bad (The Seacoast Online 11/23) Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com Related Stories:
Opinion: Not all Sioux oppose 'Fighting Sioux' (11/20)
NCAA issues statement on 'Sioux' settlement (11/20)
Column: Tribes already said no to 'Fighting Sioux' (11/19)
Opinion: Identity under attack by Indian mascots (11/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes 'Sioux' (11/15)
South Dakota students protest 'Fighting Sioux' (11/14)
Opinion: UND should have axed 'Sioux' long ago (11/12)
Standing Rock group discusses 'Fighting Sioux' (11/6)
UND spent $850K to defend 'Fighting Sioux' (11/02)
Editorial: 'Fighting Sioux' deal strikes balance (10/29)
Settlement proposed in 'Fighting Sioux' case (10/26)
Judge hearing 'Sioux' case was part of mascot group (10/25)
Opinion: Find solution to 'Fighting Sioux' nick (10/8)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' violates human rights (10/3)
Tribal views on 'Fighting Sioux' at issue in case (09/11)
Editorial: Arena tries end run on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/4)
Standing Rock veterans back 'Fighting Sioux' (8/28)
Column: Time for UND to let 'Fighting Sioux' go (8/27)
Sparring continues in 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (8/23)
UND spends more than $500K in 'Fighting Sioux' case (07/10)
Spirit Lake woman named to UND search committee (7/5)
North Dakota governor wants Indian for UND search (6/29)
UND search committee could include tribal member (6/28)
Editorial: Indian voice needed on UND committee (6/25)
Tribes left out of UND president search committee (6/15)
UND spent $430K to defend 'Fighting Sioux' nick (6/5)
Author rejects honorary degree from 'Fighting Sioux' (04/20)
UND to move forward with 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (06/20)
Opinion: 'Sioux' lawsuit could hurt North Dakota (6/19)
UND to file lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' name (6/16)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' logo hurts students (6/16)
UTTC president urges against 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (6/15)
UND president wants lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' (6/9)
Tribal member named to North Dakota higher ed board (5/26)
Opinion: UND's divide and conquer on 'Sioux' (05/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won't back 'Sioux' name (5/5)
Editorial: Seek tribal approval for 'Fighting Sioux' (5/3)
'Sioux' and 'Chief' denied again by NCAA (5/1)
Letters: Controversy over 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/1)
Standing Rock chairman disputes UND on 'Sioux' (4/28)
Opinion: Native students at UND subject to racism (04/12)
UND to file lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' name (6/16)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' logo hurts students (6/16)
UTTC president urges against 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (6/15)
UND president wants lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' (6/9)
Tribal member named to North Dakota higher ed board (5/26)
Opinion: UND's divide and conquer on 'Sioux' (05/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won't back 'Sioux' name (5/5)
Editorial: Seek tribal approval for 'Fighting Sioux' (5/3)
'Sioux' and 'Chief' denied again by NCAA (5/1)
Letters: Controversy over 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/1)
Standing Rock chairman disputes UND on 'Sioux' (4/28)
Opinion: Native students at UND subject to racism (04/12)
