"I was disappointed with the passing of HB 1263 in the Senate, but I wasn’t surprised.

My disappointment was blunted by the fact that in a column two years ago, I predicted that North Dakota would not honor the agreement with NCAA if the state failed to get permission from both tribes to use the Fighting Sioux nickname.

And I truly believe we already have won the nickname war anyway.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council (on behalf of American Indians opposed to the name) heroically stood its ground and prevented the state board from fulfilling that part of the agreement. As honorable people, the members of the state board kept by their word and retired the nickname.

Their decision sparked two legal challenges, both of which were thrown out of court.

And so at that point, the logo war was over as far as the tribes were concerned. And the tribal people, thanks to Standing Rock, won the war. Passing HB 1263 is not going to change this fact."

Get the Story:
Erich Longie: Dawes Act reborn as nickname law (The Grand Forks Herald 3/16)

Also Today:
Williams and Ree bring laughter to nickname controversy (The Grand Forks Herald 3/16)

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