Letter: 'Sioux' name not for sale to anyone
"To those tribal members who are participating in the Oct. 5 event, I ask these two questions: Who gave you the right to give permission for my tribe’s flag to be displayed in the arena? Moreover, who gave you the right to sell our name?

I know the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota tribal members who comprise the great Sioux Nation and who oppose the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo did not give you permission to sell our name. Neither did Ron His Horse Is Thunder and Myra Pearson, chairpersons of Standing Rock and Spirit Lake respectively, a Herald story reported.

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce said in protesting the sale of his tribe’s land to the government: Suppose a white man should come to me and say, “Joseph, I like your horses. I want to buy them.” I say to him, “No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them.” Then he goes to my neighbor and says to him, “Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell.” My neighbor answers, “Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph’s horses.”

The white man returns to me and says, “Joseph, I have bought your horses, and you must let me have them.” If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought them.

Similarly, if Hodgson and the arena people obtained permission to fly our tribal flag and keep the nickname and logo, “… this is the way they bought them.”"

Get the Story:
Erich Longie: 'Who gave you the right to sell our name?' (The Grand Forks Herald 10/3)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Opinion: Protest against 'Fighting Sioux' event (10/2)
'Fighting Sioux' arena to display tribal flags (9/29)
Column: Former 'Fighting Sioux' diehard relents (9/22)
NBA coach urges end to 'Fighting Sioux' nick (8/26)
Responses: Still saying no to 'Fighting Sioux' (8/25)
Opinion: No movement on future of 'Sioux' nick (8/18)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe bars vote on 'Sioux' nickname (6/4)
UND poster campaign boycotted over 'Sioux' (03/13)
Opinion: No victory in taking back 'Sioux' name (3/24)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' promotes racism (3/10)
Committee on 'Fighting Sioux' being formed (3/4)
Committee to examine 'Fighting Sioux' name (2/28)
North Dakota tribes tired of 'Sioux' talks (2/22)
North Dakota board to hear about 'Sioux' talks (2/20)
Spirit Lake Nation asked to delay 'Sioux' vote (2/15)
UND postpones Standing Rock Sioux Tribe meeting (02/06)
Spirit Lake Nation weighs vote on 'Sioux' nickname (2/4)
Opinion: Sioux who support 'Fighting Sioux' (1/24)
North Dakota official to meet with tribes over 'Sioux' (1/17)
Opinion: UND's 'Fighting Sioux' not insulting (1/11)
Opinion: Honor in 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (12/24)
'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)