undsportsfan

my mistake. my apologies. I misread it obviously. I seen that the person stated they're flying into Grand Forks, etc. If light needs to be shed on Mr. LaPointe's behavior, perhaps drop the papers off with various students and alumni at American Indian Student Services. But then I'd start looking into other people that have done wrong in the matter of UND nickname on the opposing and defensive sides of the issue, and hand those out too.

So you're going to come to a person's home uninvited and unannounced over the nickname? I'm not a lawyer but I think that could be considered harassment. I'm not sure though. I've noticed a few people list their names over on Dakota Student. Maybe you can look them up?

I read what you mentioned. I don't agree with what he had done as far as getting into a person's account. Unfortunately the debate brings out a lot of bad on all sides when a person is really passionate about it. Every person confronts the situation differently, and I'm sure there's never a right way. It's all a very unfortunate situation, but if perhaps we displayed more sensitivity to the issue and to those who oppose it, a more civil way of coming up with a decision on the matter can happen. Many native students get completely tired of the situation, regardless of how they feel, and wish it would be over with so that they don't have to have it doesn't have to be thrown in their face on occassion. I'm not here to change anyone's minds or anything like that. But I'm trying to be devils advocate I suppose. I know what its like to be a UND student just trying to get educated but many people get so caught up in this debate that even the professors stop doing what they are supposed be doing, and focus on the 'issue' in its class, as one woman phrased it to me after a racist comment was made towards native americans and myself. I know the majority of UND sports fans don't intend any harm or racism, but it just happens. UND definitely attempts to make people aware of their negative behaviors, etc, I think thats great. But if we can control opposing teams and those loud lewd people at games, sports bars etc, that's where you start getting that offensive behavior. And many people just want it to stop being towards Native Americans. I apologize for not responding to everyone. I have recieved lots of comments, etc. But I can't get to all of them, and I can't read everything I"m asked or told to. Perhaps I'll try to if I have more time to allow that, but I don't right now. have a great day.

Well my apologies, I follow UND sports from afar. I attend games when I can. I've read these boards from time to time, but not religiously. So I edited my comment. I did mean 'can' in there. I love this town, but the animosity here just makes a lot of people feel unwelcomed. Whether intended or not. I'm not sure who grahamkracker is? Are the actions something that can be repeated? You've caused me to want to know.

I rest my case about the unwelcome feeling people can give off in the GF community and at UND campus.

Religious symbols vary from culture to culture, tribe to tribe. However when regarding UND's issue, Eagle feathers are a ceremonial/religious relic and many do not appreciate seeing these being walked on at REA, at the bottom of dog dishes, floor mats, dog chains or wiping their mouths with them. For many it can be compared to the Jesus' cross being walked on, etc.

If anyone is truly interested without flaming, name calling, etc as I have seen, I'd be happy to email it to you. But I know better than to post it up on a discussion group.

Well I can't speak for him. But when I was a student at UND, I had many things happen in different places. What hurt the most was in the ba department, I had an instructor who refused to speak comfortably around me like the other students until one day he seen me wear a F.S. sweatshirt. Then he said, "Oh, I wasn't sure if you were comfortable with the nickname." From then on, class was a piece of cake. I felt it was unfair to be treated poorly in the beginning, but then treated even more poorly (by ease of class). I eventually switched majors, but that definitely made me see how ridiculous people behave when in comes to the issue. I actually tried printing a memoir in the Herald and they declined to print it. It was just to represent one American Indian/Native American student's experiences at UND. I do know Gary LaPointe, not well, but I do know him. I also know there's definitely more than what is being said. However, he shouldn't have to succumb to demands of telling what's gone on. Many things are documented I am sure at UND. It would be up to them to make them public. And I'm sure they won't.

I was curious if some of you read the rules and conduct when you signed up to be on this website. Because what I'm gathering, is that some of us forgot what those rules were. As for Mr. LaPointe, it was a personal choice that he decided on his own. Not a publicity stunt. Not some organization has asked him to withdraw. And he's not the first student to make this decision. He's just the one that was extremely active in the opposition of the use of the nickname. I would just suggest quit being so condemming. He stood up for something he believed in and I'm sure there is more to this story than what the media puts out there. I've been in the media before and they definitely put in what they wanted to (not anything to do with UND sports or nickname), but by the media's editing, the story or point did not come across the way it should. People are misrepresented all the time in media. I'm sure he was one of many that is tired of getting harassed and not being able to concentrate on his education at UND. Mr. LaPointe is a very educated person, and I hope he chooses to continue with Grad school elsewhere. We all have things to learn as we go through life. And maturity is definitely something I'm seeing from all sides of this debate.