"Common sense and decency seldom go together in this age of political correctness and subjugation of the will of the people. It took the leadership of both houses of the North Dakota Legislature to enact a pro-Fighting Sioux name-and-logo bill that reflected the will and sentiment of the vast majority of North Dakotans.

The statewide pride in the history and identification of the Sioux name for UND over the past 80 years is a unique bond with our American Indian neighbors.

This pride and respect for the educational uplifting of future generations of young American Indians has long been held by the elders and leaders of both the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux nations. Recent Herald articles by staff writer Chuck Haga and others attest to this.

The current dispute about the name issue is ironic in that neither group was asked to be a party at the legal table with the NCAA and the state of North Dakota, which was represented by the State Board of Higher Education. But both tribes were required to give consent to an outcome that required their approval and participation."

Get the Story:
Rich Becker: NCAA should respect will of N.D., Spirit Lake (The Grand Forks Herald 5/14)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Taking responsibility for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (5/10)
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)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' supporters must work through their grief (1/13)
Editorial: Republicans wasting time trying to save 'Fighting Sioux' (1/12)
North Dakota Republicans aim to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (1/11)