I have learned many things about the Natives from growing up in North Dakota and I was always taught that they were just like us and could be whatever they wanted to be. I don't feel that your background or heritage whatever you want to call it affects how good of a dentist you are. There are many whites that I wouldn't go to as a dentist because of how they act and their performances on the job. As a future educator, I wish that they could get past this idea that they will never get of the reservation and that they did have the idea that they can do anything because I think that too many of them don't have that idea.
In regards to our nickname, I have this image in my head of this warrior who is proud of who he is and would be willing to lay down his life for his family, country, and friends and neighbors. Also, when I was little when somebody said the "Fighting Sioux", I always thought that they were referring to the sports teams. When someone referred to the DAKOTA, LAKOTA, or NAKOTA (sp? sorry I forgot in the recent years), I thought that they were referring to the tribes because I was taught their actual names growing up.
Sorry, end of rant/whatever you want to call this.