Hawkster

While you weren't specific, I'm assuming that this little outburst is somehow directed at me. I will inform you that I am no longer in school, and have graduated for some time now. Well employed using my Poli Sci degree, I might add. I just love how anyone who supports the Native Americans in there quest to rid UND of a racist logo will be ridiculed. I said a long time back that the Sioux name would be retired and I was right What I can't figure out is why we seemingly have refocused our attention from finding a new name that conveys what we are at UND to bickering over keeping the old name. BTW, since you aren't even a UND grad, I don't see where you even have a horse to race in this event.

Unlike, say medical research, some personal feelings are going to creep into any statement made regarding the changing of a nickname. That same bias is evident in the arguments thrown out by both sides. Does that make my opinion less valid because of my opposition to the Sioux name? It's hard to measure the racism that comes into play because of the continued use of the name. We have to defer to the namesake culture and let their leaders decide. Since they have stated repeatedly the name has to change, let's just do it. Again, why can't we just move forward, embrace a new name and work to the common good?

Nope. Absolutely not. In fact, I have never met Dana Williams, but I have the highest respect for his work on this subject.

No, I'm not employed by the Herald or any other newspaper. I am, however, trying to figure out how only the Sioux name supporters can be objective? Rather then calling Dana Williams biased, I prefer the think of him as qualified and well informed when it comes to this subject. He has, after all, done research papers on the topic.

I think you are the one not getting it. The Williams article is objective. It points out the many problems with keeping the Sioux name. Just because he had the opinion for some time that the name had to go doesn't mean he isn't objective. I suppose you would say the same about me. I didn't just decide last week the name is offensive. This goes way back for me too.

I did, in fact get my name from that band. If they go public and tell me I'm offending them, YES, I would switch it. Nothing ironic about it. I'm against us using the Sioux name because the namesakes are opposed to it. Get it?

I highly respect the forthright manner that Dana Williams used to layout the problems of using the Sioux name. There was nothing insulting about the Williams article. The insults come from a clientele who insist on clinging to an outdated name. Several weeks ago, I really felt like we were making progress as most posters here were openly accepting the retirement of the Sioux name and looking at acceptable replacements. It almost appears that we are starting to take a step or two backwards. It's time to move forward. Nokota is a name I would find very pleasing.

Why let it fester for another 3 years? It's time to start the healing process and move on. Nothing can be gained by waiting. I'm fully in favor of change ASAP.

Thanks for backing me up. I thought there was a "use it or lose it clause". Amazing what I learned in those poli sci classes.

I don't want something lame. The Flickertail comment was tongue in cheek, even though it's historical and unique.

You know, we are sometimes called "The Flickertail State", but I don't think we want to go there. I could live with the name, but there are better ones. Regarding the trademark on the Northstars, I'm not sure, but I think there is some provision that you have to have a reason to protect your trademark or it lapses. No Northstars in existence so it might be possible. I could live with Northstars also. Could also live with Fighting Dakotans. I feel that no name is no solution. Far to easy to lapse into bad habits and use the Sioux name. Unacceptable to me. I don't want Blizzards, Tornadoes, Pumas, Mustangs, etc.

I saw the team last year when they lost to Southwest Minnesota State at Marshall. It wasn't an impressive game. It sure isn't like the 70's when UND played dominating BB. I agree with you, we don't need a coaching change, but maybe the coaching staff needs to change philosophy.

http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/184357 The Herald today also has a lot of opinions on the coming name change.

Did you notice that the first time they mention us, they call us the "University of SOUTH Dakota Fighting Sioux"?

My point is that we keep talking about the history and the tradition of the Sioux name at UND, so let's examine some of our history. Granted, times have changed. I couldn't see a situation like this happening today; it would never be allowed to progress to the ugly climax it did. Let's get it changed and move on.

Sorry, but I'm old enough to remember the incident.

http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/184158 The King Kold incident was disgusting, to say the least

Indian nations are autonomous, so they operate under their own jurisdictional decree. They don't need to tell us anything, outside of the fact that they resent us, UND, using their name.

There is no way the NCAA goes along with no nickname. This makes if far to easy to revert back informally to the Sioux name, which is what the "no name" crowd wants. It's not going to happen. I know enough about legal interpretation to know we can't go there. I also agree that the name has to be something that is representative of the area and our history. Storms, Rage, Blizzard, etc, isn't going to do it. Cavalry is nothing more then an attempt to poke a stick in the eye of the Native American's and the NCAA. Nicknames don't need to be intimidating. Look at the Gophers and the Jackrabbits. Lack of an aggressive logo isn't causing them problems, no matter how poorly they play.

The reason we can't simply drop the "Sioux" name and use nothing is that it is far to convenient to informally keep using Sioux. Sorry, but the NCAA won't go for it.

I've been trying not to comment to much on this since the settlement to avoid the appearance of gloating. I'l even overlook the flaming I've taken for pushing for a new name. The one comment I'm going to make is lets get an acceptable new name and move on. What ever we pick, let's embrace it and completely stop using the "Sioux" name. As others have said, now is the best time to switch. New division, new conferences, new rivals. Bury the past and welcome the future.

I see where the tribal leadership at both Standing Rock and Spirit Lake have already said their earlier positions won't change. Time to move on. Lets select a new name and get down to business. With all the latest distractions, does anyone even remember there is a football game today?

I said a long time ago this would happen, and a million dollars later, it did. I just hope we don't insult the tribal leadership with some kind "incentive" to let us keep the name.

This settlement is no good. I have no doubt that in the next three years someone from UND will find a way to hoodwink the Native American leaders into finding the name "acceptable". I'd put money on it. Let's face it, the name is racist and unacceptable in the modern age. Even if the Native Americans should decide to stand pat on their decision, it still leaves too many logos at the Ralph in place. Chang the name and let's move on.

What do you think I am, Ralph?