"In the days after the settlement between UND and the NCAA was announced, the following things could have happened.
Gov. John Hoeven could have stepped forward and said he'd lead a delegation to visit with North Dakota's Sioux tribes. As called for in the settlement, the visits would let state leaders ask tribal leaders to grant UND permission to keep using its Fighting Sioux nickname.
North Dakota's congressional delegation could have signed on, too. Sen. Byron Dorgan's agreement to do this would have been especially meaningful, given that Dorgan chairs the U.S. Senate's Committee on Indian Affairs.
So, lots of things could have happened to show that North Dakotans at large continue to support UND's Fighting Sioux nickname.
But those things didn't happen. Instead, the only sound emanating from North Dakota's business, political and educational leadership has been a vast and echoing silence.
This silence leads us to believe that North Dakota has lost its appetite to continue the nickname fight.
That's why the state Board of Higher Education may be asked to retire the nickname within the next few weeks. It's also why the board should consider voting yes."
Get the Story:OUR OPINION: Board should consider retiring UND nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 12/2)
pwpwd More Opinions:
Harold Larson: Shame on state, UND for backing nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 12/2)
IN THE MAIL: For UND students' sake, find a new nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 12/2)
IN THE MAIL: Approach tribes, but move on if they say no (The Grand Forks Herald 12/1) Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com Related Stories:
'Fighting Sioux' name could see quick retirement (11/29)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe firm on nickname stance (11/28)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe meets with UND (11/27)
Views: The 'Fighting Sioux' nickname and logo (11/26)
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)
