Judge to hear tribal member suit for 'Fighting Sioux'

A judge will hold a hearing today in a lawsuit that seeks to preserve the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo of the University of North Dakota.

Several members of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation filed the suit. They say they are honored by the use of the "Sioux" name and the school's depiction of Indians.

“When you hear them announce the name at the start of a hockey game, it gives you goose bumps,” Frank Black Cloud told The New York Times. “They are putting us up on a pinnacle.”

The plaintiffs say they are not being funded by the operators of the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The late Ralph Engelstad donated $100 million to his school to build the arena, which features thousands of Indian head logos and a sculpture of an Indian man on a horse that is said to depict Sitting Bull.

Get the Story:
In Twist, Tribe Fights for College Nickname (The New York Times 12/9)
Nickname lawsuit goes to trial today (The Grand Forks Herald 12/9)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Michael Eshkibok: Colonization and 'Fighting Sioux' (12/7)
Tom Iron: A tribal backer of 'Fighting Sioux' name (11/23)
Police probe potential threats over 'Fighting Sioux' (11/20)
Standing Rock chairman not pushing 'Sioux' vote (11/19)
Editorial: Give tribe more time on 'Fighting Sioux' (11/16)
Editorial: A bizarre delay for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (11/12)
Judge orders delay on 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (11/10)
Editorial: No more stalling on 'Fighting Sioux' nick (11/6)
Standing Rock chair open to 'Fighting Sioux' talk (11/3)
Extension possible for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (10/29)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe mum on UND nickname (10/28)
Erich Longie: Sovereignty or Fighting Sioux (10/6)
Column: Tribes in spotlight for 'Fighting Sioux' (10/5)
Another deadline set for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (10/2)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' affects Chippewa too (10/2)
Editorial: Waiting for tribe on 'Fighting Sioux' (10/2)
Deadline comes for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (10/1)
Column: Time has spoken on 'Fighting Sioux' (10/1)
Rally against Fighting Sioux nickname at UND (9/30)
Fool Bear: Democracy at Standing Rock Sioux (9/28)
'Fighting Sioux' foes seek Spirit Lake reversal (9/25)
Spirit Lake Nation clarifies 'Fighting Sioux' stance (9/21)
Board asked to extend deadline on 'Sioux' nick (9/18)
Yellow Bird: It's time to retire 'Fighting Sioux' (9/17)
Spirit Lake Nation affirms 'Fighting Sioux' vote (9/17)
Editorial: Time to move on from 'Fighting Sioux' (9/14)
Deadline on 'Fighting Sioux' might be extended (9/11)
Media guide depicts UND 'Indian' being chased (9/9)
Letter: Follow tribal wishes on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/8)
Editorial: Extend deadline for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (9/4)
Time running out to keep 'Fighting Sioux' at UND (9/3)
Deadline approaching over 'Sioux' nickname (08/19)
Editorial: No happy ending for 'Sioux' nick (8/17)
Standing Rock Sioux leaders nix 'Sioux' vote (8/12)
Petition seeks another vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (07/17)
Letter: Keep fighting to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nick (7/16)
Opinion: Let Standing Rock vote on 'Sioux' nick (7/13)
Letter: Standing Rock Sioux vote on UND nickname (6/15)
Tribal 'Fighting Sioux' supporters seek action (06/05)
Letter: Tribal leaders ignore 'Fighting Sioux' views (5/26)
Editorial: Retiring 'Fighting Sioux' the right move (5/18)
Editorial: 'Fighting Sioux' can't survive much longer (5/15)
UND faces new deadline on 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/15)
Board meeting to discuss fate of 'Fighting Sioux' (5/14)
Column: Don't drop 'Sioux' before tribe votes (5/13)
Cartoon: Democracy and vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (5/11)
Erich Longie: 'Sioux' opponents won't give up fight (5/4)
Column: 'Fighting Sioux' vote sends strong message (4/28)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' reflects warrior spirit (4/27)
Column: A perspective on 'Fighting Sioux' vote (4/24)
'Fighting Sioux' supporters eye Standing Rock vote (4/23)
Spirit Lake Nation reportedly backs 'Fighting Sioux' (4/22)