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Letter to U of M President


SiouxTattoo

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According to your own University's website (http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/studentlife/index.html), the phrase Ski-U-Mah is "a cheer Gophers have been screaming since 1884 during a rugby game. Ski comes from a Dakota battle cry meaning "victory", and U-Mah represents the U of M.". Now, my concern with the University using this cheer is, although the University has a policy in place against scheduling sporting events with teams that have Native American nicknames/logos, your own school uses a Native American war cry when competing in athletic events.

This is priceless...

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"Tar Heels" is based on a North Carolina (pro-slavery) Civil War unit.

Doesn't. Matter.

"Sooners" is based on people who stole Indian lands sooner than it was legal to.

Doesn't. Matter.

The NCAA's own "monikers policy" says "race-based" yet Notre Dame, Michigan State, Southern Cal, and Idaho have race-based monikers.

Doesn't. Matter.

Pointing out Minnesota's rouser.

Doesn't. Matter.

UND having one tribe (Spirit Lake) approval just like Florida State, Utah, and Central Michigan have one tribe approval.

Doesn't. Matter.

NCAA's "catalyst for social change" agenda.

All. That. Matters.

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Dear President Bruininks,

I am writing you this letter in regards to the University of Minnesota's stance on scheduling athletic events with teams deemed to have hostile and abusive Nicknames and/or Logos. I am a proud Alumni from the University of North Dakota, and as such, I am a staunch supporter of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. I feel as though the policy that your University has is place is very much a double standard. The reason that I believe the U of M has such a double standard for what it considers a hostile and abusive nickname/logo are the words that you have proclaimed in the University's school song, the Minnesota Rouser. If you look through the words of the song, you will clearly see the phrase "Rah, rah, rah, for Ski-U-Mah". If you are not familiar with the phrase, let me share its history with you.

According to your own University's website (http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/studentlife/index.html), the phrase Ski-U-Mah is "a cheer Gophers have been screaming since 1884 during a rugby game. Ski comes from a Dakota battle cry meaning "victory", and U-Mah represents the U of M.". Now, my concern with the University using this cheer is, although the University has a policy in place against scheduling sporting events with teams that have Native American nicknames/logos, your own school uses a Native American war cry when competing in athletic events.

In order to remain true to the stance that your University has set forth in regards to the scheduling of athletic events I make this proposition. I would respectfully ask that the University of Minnesota begins the process to retire the use of the Minnesota Rouser at all athletic events and all formal University functions. I feel that out of respect to the Native American community, the University should not use such dialect that could be misconstrued as being insensitive to the Native American culture.

Sincerely yours,

Corey Kjos

This sounds like a vehicle for protest. Maybe I'll make a sign and stand outside of the ice rink this upcoming winter in protest of their use of this insensitive and hostile and abusive act.

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Dear President Bruininks,

I am writing you this letter in regards to the University of Minnesota's stance on scheduling athletic events with teams deemed to have hostile and abusive Nicknames and/or Logos. I am a proud Alumni from the University of North Dakota, and as such, I am a staunch supporter of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. I feel as though the policy that your University has is place is very much a double standard. The reason that I believe the U of M has such a double standard for what it considers a hostile and abusive nickname/logo are the words that you have proclaimed in the University's school song, the Minnesota Rouser. If you look through the words of the song, you will clearly see the phrase "Rah, rah, rah, for Ski-U-Mah". If you are not familiar with the phrase, let me share its history with you.

According to your own University's website (http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/studentlife/index.html), the phrase Ski-U-Mah is "a cheer Gophers have been screaming since 1884 during a rugby game. Ski comes from a Dakota battle cry meaning "victory", and U-Mah represents the U of M.". Now, my concern with the University using this cheer is, although the University has a policy in place against scheduling sporting events with teams that have Native American nicknames/logos, your own school uses a Native American war cry when competing in athletic events.

In order to remain true to the stance that your University has set forth in regards to the scheduling of athletic events I make this proposition. I would respectfully ask that the University of Minnesota begins the process to retire the use of the Minnesota Rouser at all athletic events and all formal University functions. I feel that out of respect to the Native American community, the University should not use such dialect that could be misconstrued as being insensitive to the Native American culture.

Sincerely yours,

Corey Kjos

Unfortunately even though this is a creative approach, I do not see the parallel. Ski U Mah is like saying in a foreign language "Victory University of Minnesota". It does not necessarily offend or degrade anyone. The term Fighting Sioux does offend some people. BTW, Bruinicks is a lame duck and will be replaced by the new president prior to the next school year.

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There may not be perfect parallels between the Fighting Sioux nickname and the Minnesota rouser, however I am simply pointing out the fact that the U of M is being selective on how they enforce their policy on items related to Native Americans.

They choose to enforce a policy against the use of Native American imagery, but they use Native American dialect in a school song. I do not see any difference between cheering " Let's go Sioux" and "Ski-u-Mah". One uses a Native American tribe name and the other uses a Native American language.

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There may not be perfect parallels between the Fighting Sioux nickname and the Minnesota rouser, however I am simply pointing out the fact that the U of M is being selective on how they enforce their policy on items related to Native Americans.

They choose to enforce a policy against the use of Native American imagery, but they use Native American dialect in a school song. I do not see any difference between cheering " Let's go Sioux" and "Ski-u-Mah". One uses a Native American tribe name and the other uses a Native American language.

I see your point, it is still a stretch, but more importantly, it is not Bruinincks or even Maturi that is the problem. It is the Board of Regents. Maturi has been unable to convince them, I think there are 10, to allow him to schedule UND in OOC sports. Even with the blessing of the NCAA I am not sure that they can be convinced to schedule UND without the name gone.

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"Tar Heels" is based on a North Carolina (pro-slavery) Civil War unit.

Doesn't. Matter.

"Sooners" is based on people who stole Indian lands sooner than it was legal to.

Doesn't. Matter.

The NCAA's own "monikers policy" says "race-based" yet Notre Dame, Michigan State, Southern Cal, and Idaho have race-based monikers.

Doesn't. Matter.

Pointing out Minnesota's rouser.

Doesn't. Matter.

UND having one tribe (Spirit Lake) approval just like Florida State, Utah, and Central Michigan have one tribe approval.

Doesn't. Matter.

NCAA's "catalyst for social change" agenda.

All. That. Matters.

This whole page needs to be sent to the NC$$, well done!

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