" I myself am honored that a university has a nickname that addresses the Sioux as fighters. For many centuries, that is exactly what we were - fighters. Now, it looks like we are in for another fight.
For the first 32 years of my life, I lived off the Spirit Lake Reservation. I fought for my heritage and for who I was that entire time. It's unbelievable the amount of racism alive in this world.
I think the nickname is a petty issue. When I was younger, my grandmother used to tell me a saying that I think should be said now: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I've been called everything in the book when I was growing up, mean and hurtful things, by almost every race on this earth.
But never did anyone say, “You're nothing but a Fighting Sioux.” That's probably because it was true; and besides, it wouldn't have hurt me at all because there is nothing derogatory about that statement. I believe that's why I'm not offended by the nickname or the logo.
The NCAA weighed in about two years ago when it listed UND's nickname as “hostile or abusive.” I don't believe it's either of those things. I find nothing hostile or abusive about the nickname."
Get the Story:Frank Black Cloud: Let tribal members vote on Sioux nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 12/23)
pwpwd 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' not going away any time soon (12/21)
Opinion: What do Sioux tribes win in UND fight? (12/17)
North Dakota board to discuss 'Fighting Sioux' (12/13)
Opinion: History repeats itself on 'Fighting Sioux' (12/10)
UND hockey coach supports 'Fighting Sioux' (12/6)
North Dakota company prints 'No Sioux' t-shirt (12/5)
Meeting planned with tribes over 'Fighting Sioux' (12/4)
Editorial: No appetite for 'Fighting Sioux' fight (12/3)
'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit cost more than $5M (12/3)
'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)
