One Final Effort

[GeauxSioux]

Last-minute appeal: Spirit Lake members urge NCAA to heed 'voices of our people'

Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Nation who favor UND retaining the Fighting Sioux nickname made a last-minute appeal Monday to the NCAA, asking that the association “re-examine” the 2007 legal settlement that imposed a deadline for the university to obtain tribal permission to continue using the name.

The deadline stipulated in the settlement is Tuesday, though it would appear action taken April 8 by the State Board of Higher Education and subsequently by UND to retire the nickname rendered the NCAA deadline moot.

[Siouxfull]

Is there still a glimpse of hope out there!?

[dani_3333]

Theres always hope as long as you keep fighting for what you believe in. We will just have to wait for the NCAA to reply and hope it's good news.

[SIOUXPR]

Here is a summary of the letter and the forthcoming response:

Spirit Lake: The least you could do is level with me. What are my chances?

NCAA: Not good.

Spirit Lake: You mean like one out of a hundred?

NCAA: More like one out of a million.

Spirit Lake: So you're tellin' me there's a chance.

[dani_3333]

Not sure if any of you caught the article on Yahoo or not but here's a reply that is interesting. This was not written by me.

There are so many misconceptions out there! I will give you food for thought...1st; NCAA Walter Harrison (chairman executive committee) on April 28, 2006 (MPR News) rejected Archie Fool Bear (Standing Rock District Rep) statement of support... by the people and sacred ceremony, in favor of Ron His Horses Thunder's statement that the overwhelming Sioux of N.D. oppose the name and logo (Archie's statement has been proven true). 2nd; Bernard Frankliln (NCAA vice president) on Oct. 29, 2007 said the Sioux people and no one else should decide (First Amendment Center). 3rd; Incoming president of UND (his administration & staff would remain neutral on this issue) and Oct 2008 with support of Tribal members Spirit Lake tribal flag was raised along side of Standing Rocks at the REA. 4th; UND staff (professor Amy Phillips) aided opponents on Spirit Lake to influence members to reject the name & logo (March & April 2009). 5th; Opponents on Spirit Lake tried through the courts to silence the members voice (April 17, 2009). 6th; With help from powerful North Dakotan 's the one and only meeting took place at the Attorney Generals' office between supporters from Standing Rock and Spirit Lake and Chancellor Goetz addressed at the meeting (why no contact with supporters, the sacred ceremony, when Spirit Lake just voted 67% in support 3 weeks earlier, asked Goetz why are you going to retire the name & logo next week?) Also asked Chancellor Goetz have you met with the opponents? Goetz turned to his lawyer and his lawyer who said "not officially" (May 10, 2009). 7th; On May 14, 2009 the SBoHED did in fact retire the name & logo after hearing from supporters who were on the agenda and after Duaine Espergard called up His Horse's Thunder (who was not on the agenda) to rebutt supporters, part of his statement was (the people of S.R. will never have a voice and the sacred ceremony means nothing! made a motion with his hand and said "puff" it's gone"). This is but a small sample of what the Sioux of N.D. have had to go through. What is clear is that at least over 60% of the Sioux of N. D.are in support of the name & logo. So for those of you that want to blame someone, put it where it belongs. A handful of whites that have sought a handful of Native Americans who have no respect for there ancestors or their people or their sacred ceremonies. This to achieve a common goal.

Now for some of my opinions; Alexander Ramsey who was first territory Governor of Minnesota in 1849, later Minnesota State until 1863 cheated the Dakota Sioux out of everything they had by using unscrupulous individuals to translate. He used his power of being in charge of Indian Affairs to do so and pushed them to war in 1862. He made the statement "exterminate them". I personally believe that we have witnessed the same treachery in this issue. 1st; Walter Harrison when faced with conflicting statements, choose not to find out the truth, but chose the one that fit his agenda. 2nd; Bernard Franklin must feel that only a handful of Sioux count. 3rd; After the vote on Spirit Lake in which 67% of the people came out in support, fear and desperation must have set into the SBoHE and UND (a need to change dates and requirements) to be able to blame the Sioux for their choice. What is not an opinion is that the 3 organization have shown absolutely no respect for the Sioux people of North Dakota and brought shame to all 3 groups.

[wsdSIOUXfalls]

Very interesting! If all this is unquestionably factual - how many other places can this be sent/posted - along with the new Spirit Lake letter to the NCAA imploring them to "heed the voices of our people"!

Not sure if any of you caught the article on Yahoo or not but here's a reply that is interesting. This was not written by me.

There are so many misconceptions out there! I will give you food for thought...1st; NCAA Walter Harrison (chairman executive committee) on April 28, 2006 (MPR News) rejected Archie Fool Bear (Standing Rock District Rep) statement of support... by the people and sacred ceremony, in favor of Ron His Horses Thunder's statement that the overwhelming Sioux of N.D. oppose the name and logo (Archie's statement has been proven true). 2nd; Bernard Frankliln (NCAA vice president) on Oct. 29, 2007 said the Sioux people and no one else should decide (First Amendment Center). 3rd; Incoming president of UND (his administration & staff would remain neutral on this issue) and Oct 2008 with support of Tribal members Spirit Lake tribal flag was raised along side of Standing Rocks at the REA. 4th; UND staff (professor Amy Phillips) aided opponents on Spirit Lake to influence members to reject the name & logo (March & April 2009). 5th; Opponents on Spirit Lake tried through the courts to silence the members voice (April 17, 2009). 6th; With help from powerful North Dakotan 's the one and only meeting took place at the Attorney Generals' office between supporters from Standing Rock and Spirit Lake and Chancellor Goetz addressed at the meeting (why no contact with supporters, the sacred ceremony, when Spirit Lake just voted 67% in support 3 weeks earlier, asked Goetz why are you going to retire the name & logo next week?) Also asked Chancellor Goetz have you met with the opponents? Goetz turned to his lawyer and his lawyer who said "not officially" (May 10, 2009). 7th; On May 14, 2009 the SBoHED did in fact retire the name & logo after hearing from supporters who were on the agenda and after Duaine Espergard called up His Horse's Thunder (who was not on the agenda) to rebutt supporters, part of his statement was (the people of S.R. will never have a voice and the sacred ceremony means nothing! made a motion with his hand and said "puff" it's gone"). This is but a small sample of what the Sioux of N.D. have had to go through. What is clear is that at least over 60% of the Sioux of N. D.are in support of the name & logo. So for those of you that want to blame someone, put it where it belongs. A handful of whites that have sought a handful of Native Americans who have no respect for there ancestors or their people or their sacred ceremonies. This to achieve a common goal.

Now for some of my opinions; Alexander Ramsey who was first territory Governor of Minnesota in 1849, later Minnesota State until 1863 cheated the Dakota Sioux out of everything they had by using unscrupulous individuals to translate. He used his power of being in charge of Indian Affairs to do so and pushed them to war in 1862. He made the statement "exterminate them". I personally believe that we have witnessed the same treachery in this issue. 1st; Walter Harrison when faced with conflicting statements, choose not to find out the truth, but chose the one that fit his agenda. 2nd; Bernard Franklin must feel that only a handful of Sioux count. 3rd; After the vote on Spirit Lake in which 67% of the people came out in support, fear and desperation must have set into the SBoHE and UND (a need to change dates and requirements) to be able to blame the Sioux for their choice. What is not an opinion is that the 3 organization have shown absolutely no respect for the Sioux people of North Dakota and brought shame to all 3 groups.

[The Sicatoka]

The NCAA "reconsidering" would mean admitting that they were wrong in their infinite wisdom. That. Will. Never. Happen.

The better approach by Spirit Lake would have been to sue the NCAA. Basis you ask? In Michigan all Central Michigan University needs is approval of one of the five Chippewa/Ojibwa/Ashinabe tribes in the state, and specifically, the geographically nearest.

Why doesn't Spirit Lake get similar, dare I say "equal", treatment , meaning, they're closest to UND and their approval should be enough (being one of two, which is better than one of five mind you).

But ... too little, too late.

[The Sicatoka]

No human can possibly read that in that form. Allow me to fix it.

There are so many misconceptions out there! I will give you food for thought...

1st; NCAA Walter Harrison (chairman executive committee) on April 28, 2006 (MPR News) rejected Archie Fool Bear (Standing Rock District Rep) statement of support... by the people and sacred ceremony, in favor of Ron His Horses Thunder's statement that the overwhelming Sioux of N.D. oppose the name and logo (Archie's statement has been proven true).

2nd; Bernard Frankliln (NCAA vice president) on Oct. 29, 2007 said the Sioux people and no one else should decide (First Amendment Center).

3rd; Incoming president of UND (his administration & staff would remain neutral on this issue) and Oct 2008 with support of Tribal members Spirit Lake tribal flag was raised along side of Standing Rocks at the REA.

4th; UND staff (professor Amy Phillips) aided opponents on Spirit Lake to influence members to reject the name & logo (March & April 2009).

5th; Opponents on Spirit Lake tried through the courts to silence the members voice (April 17, 2009).

6th; With help from powerful North Dakotan 's the one and only meeting took place at the Attorney Generals' office between supporters from Standing Rock and Spirit Lake and Chancellor Goetz addressed at the meeting (why no contact with supporters, the sacred ceremony, when Spirit Lake just voted 67% in support 3 weeks earlier, asked Goetz why are you going to retire the name & logo next week?) Also asked Chancellor Goetz have you met with the opponents? Goetz turned to his lawyer and his lawyer who said "not officially" (May 10, 2009).

7th; On May 14, 2009 the SBoHED did in fact retire the name & logo after hearing from supporters who were on the agenda and after Duaine Espergard called up His Horse's Thunder (who was not on the agenda) to rebutt supporters, part of his statement was (the people of S.R. will never have a voice and the sacred ceremony means nothing! made a motion with his hand and said "puff" it's gone").

This is but a small sample of what the Sioux of N.D. have had to go through.

What is clear is that at least over 60% of the Sioux of N. D.are in support of the name & logo. So for those of you that want to blame someone, put it where it belongs. A handful of whites that have sought a handful of Native Americans who have no respect for there ancestors or their people or their sacred ceremonies. This to achieve a common goal.

Now for some of my opinions;

Alexander Ramsey who was first territory Governor of Minnesota in 1849, later Minnesota State until 1863 cheated the Dakota Sioux out of everything they had by using unscrupulous individuals to translate. He used his power of being in charge of Indian Affairs to do so and pushed them to war in 1862. He made the statement "exterminate them". I personally believe that we have witnessed the same treachery in this issue.

1st; Walter Harrison when faced with conflicting statements, choose not to find out the truth, but chose the one that fit his agenda.

2nd; Bernard Franklin must feel that only a handful of Sioux count.

3rd; After the vote on Spirit Lake in which 67% of the people came out in support, fear and desperation must have set into the SBoHE and UND (a need to change dates and requirements) to be able to blame the Sioux for their choice.

What is not an opinion is that the 3 organization have shown absolutely no respect for the Sioux people of North Dakota and brought shame to all 3 groups.

Not sure if it's all factual, or if I agree with it all, but at least you can read it now.

[dani_3333]

No human can possibly read that in that form. Allow me to fix it.

Not sure if it's all factual, or if I agree with it all, but at least you can read it now.

The above is all 100% factual. The reason that people are going to think it's not is because alot of people are not 100% aware of what has really gone on. This opens doors for alot of people to understand just what has been done and by who.

I dont know why you had such a hard time reading it? I didn't and neither did alot of other people.

[dani_3333]

The NCAA "reconsidering" would mean admitting that they were wrong in their infinite wisdom. That. Will. Never. Happen.

The better approach by Spirit Lake would have been to sue the NCAA. Basis you ask? In Michigan all Central Michigan University needs is approval of one of the five Chippewa/Ojibwa/Ashinabe tribes in the state, and specifically, the geographically nearest.

Why doesn't Spirit Lake get similar, dare I say "equal", treatment , meaning, they're closest to UND and their approval should be enough (being one of two, which is better than one of five mind you).

But ... too little, too late.

This has been brought up already. It's not only with Michigan but also Florida that only had to get the ok from the trible closest to the University.

[dani_3333]

Very interesting! If all this is unquestionably factual - how many other places can this be sent/posted - along with the new Spirit Lake letter to the NCAA imploring them to "heed the voices of our people"!

You can find the letter on Fargo Forum here is the link:

http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/300117/

[Smoggy]

I dont know why you had such a hard time reading it? I didn't and neither did alot of other people.

It was that it was all one giant paragraph. I kept losing my spot while reading and had to keep re-reading things.

[yababy8]

I dont know why you had such a hard time reading it? I didn't and neither did alot of other people.

There is reasoning behind the convention of paragraphs.

[yababy8]

Here is a "revised" summary of the letter and the forthcoming response:

Spirit Lake: The least you could do is level with me. What are my chances?

NCAA: Just about as good as your chances for fair treatment from those like us in the past.

Spirit Lake: You mean like one out of a million?

NCAA: More like none.

[siouxhockeygirl14]

There is reasoning behind the convention of paragraphs.

I don't know what you're talking about.I didn't have a hard time reading it at all.

[dani_3333]

There is reasoning behind the convention of paragraphs.

Yes there is but like I said in my original post it was NOT written by me. There is no reason that anyone should have a hard time reading it though, I didn't and like I said neither did many others. Didn't your teachers ever teach you to use your finger when your reading to keep your place!!

[ScottM]

Here is a "revised" summary of the letter and the forthcoming response:

Spirit Lake: The least you could do is level with me. What are my chances?

NCAA: Just about as good as your chances for fair treatment from those like us in the past.

Spirit Lake: You mean like one out of a million?

NCAA: More like none.

Which really translates to: "NCAA: We know what's best for you, so run on back to the reservation and let us count our licensing dollars in peace. Shoo, now!".

[siouxfan29]

There is also a lot that has not been public of what is going on at Standing Rock with Archie and his group. Archie and his group filed a lawsuit against the council in October for the council prohibiting a vote by their own people. Archie's attorney has been trying to get a ruling out of the tribal court and also the appellate court. No answer from the tribal court!

How many of you know that Jesse Taken Alive, a current Standing Rock tribal council member, is one of the group that went to the NCAA and claimed that UND is racist and so is the name and logo? Another member of Jesse's group, Ron His Horses' Thunder, was the chairman of the council.

I have the entire letter that Spirit Lake sent to the NCAA It will get posted shortly. I think we all should email the NCAA president and this Mr. Franklin and let them know that having different standards for these schools is unacceptable and that they need to right this wrong!

Sioux Forever!!!!!!!!

[dakota fairways]

The NCAA "reconsidering" would mean admitting that they were wrong in their infinite wisdom. That. Will. Never. Happen.

The better approach by Spirit Lake would have been to sue the NCAA. Basis you ask? In Michigan all Central Michigan University needs is approval of one of the five Chippewa/Ojibwa/Ashinabe tribes in the state, and specifically, the geographically nearest.

Why doesn't Spirit Lake get similar, dare I say "equal", treatment , meaning, they're closest to UND and their approval should be enough (being one of two, which is better than one of five mind you).

But ... too little, too late.

Can we start a legal fund to help the Spirit Lake tribe in a suit like this? If it works in Michigan and Florida, why is the Spirit Lake tribe in North Dakota discriminated against? After all the names that have been posted on the Sioux Name thread, nothing comes close to the Sioux. Yes, I admit I am white by birth, but UND Fighting Sioux by choice. I truly feel that the use of the Sioux name and logo is intended to honor the people who have lived in this state longer than the white Europeans have.

[The Sicatoka]

Didn't your teachers ever teach you to use your finger when your reading to keep your place!!

Nope, and my lips don't move when I read either.

[Teeder11]

Nope, and my lips don't move when I read either.

^ ^ ^ I love it. Classic reply. Seriously, though, thanks for making it a little easier to read. It took 10 minutes to uncross my eyes halfway through that chunk of text. I bet more people will actually attempt to read it now instead of gloss over it and move onto the next post.

[The Sicatoka]

I bet more people will actually attempt to read it now instead of gloss over it and move onto the next post.

Now you understand why I did it.

[siouxhog12]

^ ^ ^ I love it. Classic reply. Seriously, though, thanks for making it a little easier to read. It took 10 minutes to uncross my eyes halfway through that chunk of text. I bet more people will actually attempt to read it now instead of gloss over it and move onto the next post.

Thats exactly what I did.

[82SiouxGuy]

The Tribal Court at Standing Rock finally makes a statement. The statement is that it isn't going to force a vote.

[dakota fairways]

Some really supportive testimony from today's hearings:

Eunice Davidson, leader of the Committee for Understanding and Respect formed at Spirit Lake to champion the Fighting Sioux nickname, told lawmakers that she and many other members of the tribe take pride in its use at UND.

"When I was very young, I had a lot of negative (experiences) in my life," she said, but "I started to feel better about myself" because of the respect shown the name.

"If it were not for that name, I would not have the strength to stand here today," she said. "I never thought of it as derogatory or abusive."

Several enrolled members of the Standing Rock tribe also spoke for the nickname and the bills designed to sustain it.

Archie Fool Bear provided a history of his efforts to arrange a tribal vote on the issue, and he argued that the Standing Rock Tribal Council "does not have the power to take the name away" after it was authorized by the 1969 pipe ceremony.

The council