Michael Eshkibok: Colonization and 'Fighting Sioux'
"Why are Indian sports logos still are at UND and so hard to get rid of? The best way to explain this is what’s known as the “process of colonization.”

Colonization is the conquering of the minds and habits of oppressed people such as American Indians so that they internalize and accept inferiority as an inherent characteristic of themselves.

Decolonization reverses process that by breaking with the ways by which our reality is defined and shaped by the dominant culture and by asserting our understanding of that reality or experience. (By the way, 99 percent of U.S. Indian tribes have voted against using themselves as Indian sports logos.)

What people need to remember, especially at UND, is that the mascot issue is part of a longer history of Indian oppression and discrimination. Negative images of indigenous people began with the colonial campaigns of violence waged in the Americas by the Spanish and others. The colonizers used criminalization, theft, rape, murder and the determination of how Indians would be defined so they could use the Indians’ land and resources.

By defining us as “savage,’ “evil” and “dirty,” the colonizers rationalized their own fear and hate and made murdering of Indians tolerable, even honorable acts. Not coincidently, the invaders were able to take away Indian people, land and resources for their own use."

Get the Story:
Michael Eshkibok: History, colonization permanently sully nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 12/6)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
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)