PCM

I'd like to hear other people's experiences with the term "prairie n______." I grew up in South Dakota, a state with a large American Indian population in a town with a significant number of American Indians. I lived in Bismarck for 15 years before moving to Grand Forks in 1992. Until I came to Grand Forks, I'd never heard anyone refer to Native Americans by this term. What's even more interesting is that the only time I hear the term used now is when the change-the-name crowd complains about others using it. So what's going on? Do I live a sheltered life? Don't I get out enough? Am I hanging out with the wrong crowd? Is it simply a lucky coincidence that I've never heard anyone other than the anti-Sioux forces use it?

From today's Grand Forks Herald: UND NICKNAME: NCAA wants a clear stance

Here's the e-mail address for letters to the editor at USA Today: editor@usatoday.com

Given the fact that it's been many decades since UND played NDSU in hockey, I doubt that you've ever seen them inside the Ralph. This article slanders UND and the citizens of Grand Forks.

From USA Today: N. Dakota at center of 'hostile' debate

My gut agrees with your gut. You know darn well that what the NCAA and the anti-Sioux name forces want more than anything is a resolution from Spirit Lake that rescinds the tribe's 2000 resoltuion. So if the votes are there, why not do it, make everyone happy and end the debate that they claim is so bothersome? But that's not what's happening. It seems like the last thing Jeanotte and company want at this point is an open vote in a public forum. Why? Because they know that they'd lose, which would then leave the NCAA up the creek with no paddle.

About a month ago, I sent an e-mail to Sen. Kent Conrad thanking him for his efforts on keeping the Grand Forks Air Force Base open. I also asked him why none of North Dakota's congressional delegation had made any public statements on UND's use of the Sioux name and logo. Today, I received a letter from Sen. Conrad dated Sept. 9. which says: Did anyone else receive a letter like this? I received an auto-response e-mail from Sen. Dorgan's office saying that he would reply to my e-mail, but I've heard nothing from him to date. I haven't heard anything from Congressman Pomeroy, either.

On tonight's WDAZ News, Spirit Lake tribal chair Myra Pearson was quoted as saying that the council wanted to meet with Kupchella in private. The Sioux name issue wouldn't be included on the council's general meeting agenda. She was also quoted as saying that the council was split on the issue.

I could be wrong, but it appears to me that the Sioux have gone from having limited offensive skill on the blue line the past few season to having a wealth of it this season, especially if Kyle Radke plays up to his potential. That's what really excites me about this team.

These Bison amateurs could learn a lot from Diggler.

Must be a blue moon tonight.

The problem is that we don't know what's being done or not being done. While I agree that recent developments are very frustrating, your reaction is exactly what the name-changers want.

Don't be going wobbly on us now, Diggler.

Here is the KVLY story on Spirit Lake's cancellation of Kupchella's visit (scroll down). Adding to the "this makes no sense" chatter is a statement by Chancellor Robert Potts:

They're tired of not discussing the issue with UND? You're right. It makes no sense.

The Sioux hockey outlook for the 2005-06 season is posted on FightingSioux.com.

There's a letter to the editor today from UND alumnus Erik Longie asking Kupchella not to go to Spirit Lake. Kupchella shouldn't visit Spirit Lake

Pay? I thought the Herald would send me a check!

Very interesting. Who from the Spirit Lake tribe elected him to represent them? Who from UND gave him permission to interfere with a scheduled meeting between Kupchella and the tribal council? I'm thinking that if I did something like that, I'd no longer have a job.

Bingo.

MafiaMan should have a problem with it. After all, casino is an Italian word.

From the Sept. 22 Journal and Courier Online: Shortsighted NCAA swings and misses, again

Will sportswriters ever get tired of bashing the NCAA on this issue? Here's an amusing tidbit from The Sporting News Caught on the Fly column:

From the Daily Illini: NCAA policy extended include BCS games

I included the meanness and name-calling in the original version of my opinion piece, which USCHO declined to publish without significant softening.