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FEBRUARY 26, 2001

Opponents of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname of the University of North Dakota on Friday protested the school's controversial moniker as benefactor Ralph Engelstad.

Speakers included actor and activist Russell Means who said he would talk with Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo) to end federal funding of the school. Means also said Native Americans who support the name are "idiots."

The protest included a mock funeral procession to the site of the $85 million hockey arena Engelstad is building for the school. Englestad threatened to let the arena go unfinished should the school drop the name.

Meanwhile, Earl Strinden, the retired CEO of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, is defending Engelstad and says his critics are falsely accusing him of support Adolf Hitler and Nazis.

Get the Story:
Protesters hear Means urge end to federal funds (The Grand Forks Herald 2/24)
UND NICKNAME ISSUE: Point and counterpoint Strinden forms unit to answer 'outrageous' words (The Grand Forks Herald 2/24)

Related Stories:
'Fighting Sioux' debate rages on (Indian U. 2/19)