"Friday’s district court ruling seems to be a blow for supporters of the UND nickname and logo, but that might not be the case.

Instead, it may simply be the latest installment in a very long story.

Here’s where things stand:

District Judge Michael Sturdevant dismissed a lawsuit brought by members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe. They wanted Sturdevant to prevent the State Board of Higher Education from changing the nickname and logo until next fall, the deadline for winning Sioux approval of the name.

The Spirit Lake Tribe voted earlier to approve UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. The Standing Rock Sioux have so far not followed suit, and their tribal chairman has said the issue isn’t a priority there.

Getting the issue on a ballot at Standing Rock has been the object of much maneuvering for more than a year. But the tribe has no provision for referendum, and its leadership has little apparent enthusiasm for holding one."

Get the Story:
Mike Jacobs: Still no predicting if UND nickname will survive (The Grand Forks Herald 12/20)
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Also Today:
Judge rejects Sioux nickname suit (The Grand Forks Herald 12/19)
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