Opponents of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo of the University of North Dakota say a committee studying the issue is stacked with nickname supporters.

Tom Iron, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, sits on the committee. He appears to support the logo while Erich Longie, a member of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, opposes it.

Ron His Horse Is Thunder, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said he was asked to join the committee but declined He also opposes the continued use of the name.

Longie said the committee appears to be stacked with nickname supporters. The committee will be holding meetings on the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake reservations but he said the tribes have already said they won't support the name.

“At what point does it become badgering?" Longie told The Fargo Forum. “I think we are at that point or we’re close to that point.”

Other Indian members of the committee include Celeste Melander, Standing Rock, who supports the nickname, and John Chaske, Spirit Lake, who also supports the name.

Get the Story:
UND nickname committee receives more ‘pro-logo’ criticism (The Fargo Forum 3/4)
pwpwd
Committee questions REA lobbying to retain nickname (The Fargo Forum 3/4)
Members of the UND nickname committee (The Fargo Forum 3/4)

Related Stories:
Letter: No win-win in keeping 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/2)
'Fighting Sioux' committee holds first meeting (2/27)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' vote threatens sovereignty (2/20)
Spirit Lake Nation weighs 'Fighting Sioux' vote (2/19)
Letter: Let tribes vote on 'Fighting Sioux' name (2/12)
Spirit Lake vote sought on 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/11)
Louis Gray: No thanks for 'Sioux' awareness (2/6)
Opinions: Even more debate on 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/2)
Opinions: Still more debate on 'Fighting Sioux' nick (1/26)
Yellow Bird: Another 'Fighting Sioux' committee (1/19)
North Dakota Gov: Resolving 'Fighting Sioux' issue (1/19)
Column: Bury the 'Sweet Sioux Tomahawk' trophy (12/03)
Column: A Lakota who supports 'Fighting Sioux' (11/10)