dmksioux

I know that the Nickname is not on the agenda for today's SBOHE meeting at UND, but it appears as though the Nickname opponents are out in full force... http://www.areavoices.com/gfhcitybeat/

So Larry the Cable guy has performed at the Alerus two other times if I'm not mistaken. According to the Alerus website, they have seating for 7400~ for his show. I was a bit surprised that he would draw that well. Has anybody been to one of his previous shows in GF? Has he drawn 7,000+ at his previous shows. Not trying to knock the guy or anything, just surprised at what he may draw for a crowd.

I think he's referring to his status as Academically ineligible...

I would agree with this. I also feel we are doing that to some degree since we have the U of Idaho on future schedules. They aren't necessarily a flashy name, but they are an FBS program that I would hope we can compete with.

I'm not sure but I believe most of these games also state the home team will pick up travel expenses. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this...

I would like to be positive but there are just too many question marks on offense... TT: 63 UND: 3

I agree...UND had the hockey tradition before the new Ralph. We actually haven't won a National Championship since it's been open (which some think is because of a curse). Ralph did some questionable things in his lifetime, but who of us hasn't. Ralph also did some very generous things in his life as well. His legacy is what it is, I'm not going to defend nor can anyone change it. It's also not up to me to judge what he did with his life and money. I'm not sure why people keep bringing this up? Do these people think that UND should have declined the money for the arena? Should they also have declined the money he gave for educational purposes? How about the wheelchairs he donated? I could go on and on.

Another bit I found interesting from the video was the Seminole tribe member who states that if a person named their child after someone, the person is typically honored that their name was chosen. Opponents claim that using Native Americans as mascots dehumanizes them or puts them on the same level as animal mascots. I find it kind of interesting that there are many Native Americans who use animals in their own names. Native Americans actually use many animals as sacred symbols hold them in high regard. Not really sure where I'm going with this, I guess I find the arguement that mascots dehumanize people as being kind of silly.

According to the article and his bville profile, they are not the same age either. Doesn't mean they are not related though...I agree that it is a sad story.

I saw that to and was a bit puzzled. I'm not sure if it's the outside or if it's the inside (the yellowish part) that he is referring to.

My guess is that if Mr. Murphy adopts the nickname debate for his platform for the general election, the nickname supporters will start to pressure Ron HHIT to strike a deal with the university prior to the election or else risk being voted out of his current position of Tribal Chair. Whether or not this comes to fruition and whether or not Ron HHIT wants to play ball is yet to be determined.

Here is the only news link I can find so far... http://www.wdaz.com/news/index.cfm?id=1588

They stated the votes haven't been certified yet so they are not official. With the way the tribal elections are run...who knows...perhaps he was on the short side of the vote.

The Standing Rock Election did take place yesterday. I haven't found a link, but according to WDAY/WDAZ this morning, Charlie Murphy had the most votes 500 some, Ron HHIT had like 223, and Avis Little Eagle had 221. If I heard correctly, the top two vote getters move on to the main election in September. I am also not sure what stance the other two candidate have in regards to the Sioux name.

Good looking schedule...any idea what happened to the Vermont game?

I guess we're bringing in a JUCO...perhaps due to Murray's status? http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/125746/

Not that I think that it will ever happen, but USD could be the potential travel partner.

I recall that Aleries (although a few blocks away) was quite busy as well

Very well put...I too never thought that I would have the same feelings on this subject as you stated above. I never believed (or wanted to) that it would get to this point. Unfortunately it has and the University is at a cross roads and needs to consider the future of a successfull DI program when making this decision. Again, nothing is 100% certain at this time, but the University needs to play the percentages and right now, they have made the decision that this is what's best.

I believe both the XDSU's committed to a certain time length when admitted to the Summit League...granted they could always buy there way out if a better conference came calling. There are no certainties that either school will be there by the time we actually are in the conference, however, the Summit League is still more attractive than any other realistic option we have due to the fact that it is an autobid conference. If an autobid conference comes calling UND needs to be ready to accept vs. waiting for another option that may never materialize. Let's put it this way...I would rather be in the Summit League and potentially move to a "better" conference (ie MVC) vs. pass on the Summit League and hope that something better comes along for all sports.

Just out of curiosity, what could UND have done to make you feel honored? I wonder if every student of Irish descent feels as if the University is specifically honoring them at Notre Dame? One of the names I would love to see UND adopt if the Sioux nickname is dropped, would be the Fighting Norse. Being that I am 100% Norwegian I would feel honored that the University is willing to recognize the contributions that Scandanavian culture has made to this area. I say this even though when I was at UND, I had to listen to many Ole and Lena/Norwegian jokes...I did not take them personally. IF we become the Fighting Norse and other schools fans made stereotypical jokes/chants about Norwegians at sporting events, I would not be offended and blame the nickname for promoting the stereoptype that all Norwegians are dim witted. I, along with many others, just don't see the connection your trying to make.

I would also add that if given the opportunity, NDSU and SDSU would both prefer to be in the Missouri Valley Conference for all sports. No one knows whether that will happen down the road or not. I believe this is one of several reasons UND is appealing to the Summit League. I believe they would like to see all 4 Dakota schools as the core of the conference. All four Dakota Schools have a history of consistency when it comes to conference affiliation (Old NCC)...perhaps that will transfer to the Summit League as well.

That was my point of what I don't understand. I was asking Four Winds Boy why there isn't even an attempt at some honest dialogue before a decision is made...one way or the other. I guess I haven't seen it printed that the reason the minority wants to change the name is to "stick it to whitey." Perhaps that's the underlying reason, but I have yet to hear a response as to why the Tribal Council is refusing to even engage in dialogue/come to the table?

I don't foresee this happening anytime soon. I would think there is a better chance of UND/USD being admitted to the Gateway Football Conference than there is of seeing a Summit League sponsored football conference. NDSU and SDSU would have little to no incentive for leaving the Gateway Football Conference.

I understand that it's not done at every athletic event. I was suggesting that it has been done at some of the events which may have sparked some people's interest in the Sioux Culture. My post was to suggest that the "powers that be" at least have dialogue to see if there is any common ground. Perhaps there is an opportunity where education about Native Culture can take place. Perhaps there isn't. It seems as though the minority on the Reservation wants nothing to do with at least attempting dialogue which is what I have a tough time with...especially since 67% of people representing the tribe seem to support the name. If an honest attempt at dialogue occured and no agreements or compromises could be made then drop it. From my perspective, it appears that the vocal minority just want it dropped to "prove their point" (whatever the point is) and "to win" to show that they were right. To address your comment about "a good rule of thumb"...Isn't that comment in and of it's self "divisive." How do you exepect "whites" to undertand the Native culture if you can't even put the two together in a sentence. I will miss the Sioux name and the tradition of the name being associated to UND. Has the name always been used in a positive/honorable manner...no, but I feel the way the logo and name have evolved throughout the years is a testement to education that has been done. Education that probably wouldn't have taken place without the nickname as the catalyst. I would like to see an open dialogue where both sides talk about the issues prior to it being retired...unfortunately that doesn't seem possible. I am not vindictive nor will I carry a grudge if/when the name is retired. I would just like to see an honest attempt at dialogue made.