"It’s “the Fighting Sioux fighting the Fighting Chippewa,” or at least that was the implication of the recent story on the Herald’s front page.

Once again, this is evolving into an issue of two tribes pitted against each other. This instead should be a story of all North Dakota tribes uniting together against the stereotyping of American Indian people and their culture.

Unfortunately, it is not going in that positive direction in some circles, judging by comments in the Herald made by Frank Black Cloud of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe. Contrary to Black Cloud’s statements, we are not envious of UND’s choosing our neighboring tribes for the university sports teams’ name and logo.

As the tribal chairman of a North Dakota tribe, I recently signed a tribal resolution supporting the NCAA ban on Indian nicknames, mascots and logos. We are not without our own Fighting Sioux supporters on the reservation, but as a whole, this tribe has taken a stand against a practice that breeds racism and tribal division."

Get the Story:
Merle St. Claire: Let’s move on to real issues for N.D. tribes (The Grand Forks Herald 4/24)

More Opinions:
LLOYD OMDAHL: Too much has been squandered on logo fight (The Grand Forks Herald 4/25)
OUR OPINION: ‘Ready,’ says the NCAA. ‘Aim ...’ (The Grand Forks Herald 4/24)
Mike Jacobs: NCAA sanctions will affect UND athletic teams (The Grand Forks Herald 4/24)

Related Stories:
Editorial: NCAA not kidding with 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (4/21)
Editorial: 'Fighting Sioux' meeting should be open to the public (4/6)
Great Plains tribes pass resolution against use of Indian mascots (4/5)
Editorial: State can make case for saving the 'Fighting Sioux' (3/31)
Opponents of 'Fighting Sioux' name not ready to give up fight (3/23)
Opinion: New law to save 'Fighting Sioux' is unconstitutional (3/21)
Opinion: Tribes weren't included in 'Fighting Sioux' settlement (3/17)
North Dakota governor signs bill to keep 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/17)
Erich Longie: State going back on its word with 'Fighting Sioux' (3/16)
Opinion: There's nothing negative about using the word 'Sioux' (3/16)
Letter: Another broken promise with effort to save Fighting Sioux (3/14)
North Dakota governor will sign bill to save 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/11)
Indian lawmaker pushes for defeat of bill to save 'Fighting Sioux' (3/10)
North Dakota Senate committee votes against Fighting Sioux bill (3/9)
Opinion: Fighting Sioux name not an honor to Native Americans (3/7)
Letter: Tribes ignored as lawmakers fight to keep Fighting Sioux (3/7)
'The Indian and the White Guy' headed to North Dakota after all (3/4)
Comedy duo asked not to use 'Indian' during North Dakota show (3/3)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname an insult to Native Americans (3/2)
Letter: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe did not give up 'Sioux' name (2/23)
North Dakota House backs bill to save Fighting Sioux nickname (2/22)
UND University Senate opposes bills to revive 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/8)
Michael Eshkibok: Fighting Sioux a symbol of America's racist past (1/26)
Erich Longie: Too many lies for too many years on Fighting Sioux (1/24)
Letter: Board and tribes hold too much power over Fighting Sioux (1/20)
Letter: Respect tribal decisions about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/18)
Letter: Ask tribes in South Dakota about 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/17)
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Editorial: Republicans wasting time trying to save 'Fighting Sioux' (1/12)
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