Spirit Lake group sues NCAA over 'Fighting Sioux' nickname

Wednesday, November 2, 2011  

Members of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation are in court in hopes of preserving the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo at the University of North Dakota.

The Committee for Understanding and Respect filed the lawsuit in federal court. The group claims the NCAA failed to include the tribe in a settlement over the use of the nickname and logo.

The Committee says it filed the lawsuit on behalf of the tribal government. Tribal leaders, including Chairman Roger Yankton, attended a press conference yesterday to discuss the case.

Archie Fool Bear, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, also joined the lawsuit, claiming to represent fellow tribal members who support the nickname and logo. The tribal council, however, is on record in opposition to the "Fighting Sioux."

UND plans to eliminate the nickname and logo in order to comply with the NCAA, which adopted a policy against "hostile and abusive" Indian mascots.

Turtle Talk posted the complaint in the case, Committee of Respect and Understanding v. NCAA.

Get the Story:
Spirit Lake's lawsuit against NCAA could affect N.D. Legislature action on Sioux nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 11/2)

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