Media Stories on the Sioux Name

[mksioux]

Throughout the last month, Kupchella said he has found the NCAA's reasons for excusing some universities and colleges from the list of schools with "hostile and abusive" nicknames and denying others are "inconsistent," an issue also addressed in the second appeal.

"There's no logic in it at all," said Kupchella.

I disagree with Dr. Kupchella on this point. I think there has been consistency. The NCAA is simply passing the buck to the namesake tribes. If any object, the appeal is denied. If they don't object, the appeal is granted. If there is no namesake tribe, the appeal is denied. It's been quite consistent.

The interesting thing will be the appeal of Illinois. This one will force the NCAA to become inconsistent is some way.

[PCM]

From the Associated Press:

University of North Dakota moving ahead with nickname appeal

The University of North Dakota is moving forward with its second appeal over the use of its Fighting Sioux nickname, President Charles Kupchella says.

The school planned to file information with the NCAA executive committee Friday in support of the nickname, Kupchella said. Its first appeal was denied by the association's staff review committee in September.

[CoteauRinkRat]

Chapman- Nice guy. Seems interested but is ambitious. It is clear he wants to put NDSU on the map any way he can. He is extremely charitable and is well connected with the Fargo community. Him and his wife donate all of the food to my church every Passover for the community seder (we're a group of MAYBE 40-60 families in a church who finished in the black by a whopping $67 last year so this is a real big deal to us) including all of the equipment needed to serve the dinner (sternos etc.). I hold Chapman in high esteem despite the fact that I don't hold the same for NDSU athletics.

[PCM]

I disagree with Dr. Kupchella on this point. I think there has been consistency.

I disagree with you and agree with Kupchella, although I

[PCM]

From the Dakota Student:

The DS View: Opportunity missed

On Wednesday, a variety of people from the community and the university came together to discuss the Fighting Sioux logo. Professors and representatives from other entities on campus were present. Concerned citizens were present. Students, however, were not.

I was at this event, and while it's true that there were few students present, there was another group that wasn't present in great numbers: American Indians. I couldn't do an exact count, but I estimate that there were about 80 people in attendance. Of those, about 20 appeared to be American Indians.

Remember, this is supposed to be a civil/human rights issue that's equivalent to slavery and women's suffrage. According to one of the people who spoke as part of the panel, American Indian students attending UND suffer psychological harm as a result of the Sioux nickname and logo.

One would think that under these circumstances, there would be strong representation among the 400+ American Indian students attending UND. But it was not the case.

From the Dakota Student:

The Lakota opinion matters

But what about someone, who is a member of the Lakota tribe and is truly honored by the Sioux logo? What if the removal of that logo would offend this person? In an issue that is as far away from being cut and dry as you can get - like this is - the opinions of all members of the Lakota tribes should be valued equally.

If a Lakota person is offended by the logo, and feels that they are unable to live in such an environment, we should value that opinion. But if another Lakota, one who takes great pride in the logo and feels honored by UND's use of it, that person's opinion should not be discredited or cast aside.

[star2city]

Today, the New York Times had an article on the Sioux nickname:

A Dispute of Great Spirit Rages On

Every night that the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's hockey team plays in its $104 million arena, thousands of fans walk across the likeness of the handsome Sioux face in profile, with its four eagle feathers attached to the crown of the head.

It is humiliating to many of the school's Indian students and faculty members who consider eagle feathers sacred.

"We see the eagle as a messenger,

[Sioux-cia]

Today, the New York Times had an article on the Sioux nickname:

A Dispute of Great Spirit Rages On

We see the eagle as a messenger," said Margaret Scott, a sophomore nursing student from the Winnebago tribe in Nebraska. "It flies so close to the heavens, he carries the messages and prayers of the people to God. In our culture, eagle feathers can't touch the ground.

http://www.spiritlakecasino.com/

The eagle flying next to the Spirit Lake Casino name on their web site is not touching the ground and, perhaps, is sending prayers for big winnings to God? That's ok?

"It's like if you put a cross on a shot glass. What they're doing is sacrilegious."

Using the eagle as an advertisement for a casino is not sacrilegious if it's an American Indian tribe doing it?

In other words, non Indians cannot use American Indian symbols in any manner that an American Indian believes is sacriligious, even though the non American Indian does not believe it is sacriligious, but an American Indian using 'sacred images' for profit/gambling is not sacriligious.

If your religion worships on Friday/Saturday/Sunday, I'm being sacriligious if I don't.

If the cross is not part of my religion and I use it in an unreligious was, I'm being sacriligious.

If the women of my religion are required to keep their heads covered and I don't, I'm being sacriligious.

If your religions abhors technology and I have electricity, I'm being sacriligious.

If your culture requires women to stay home with the children and I work, I'm being sacriligious.

If your religion requires scarring of the body and tatooing and I don't have any, I'm being sacriligious.

If your culture does not allow women to wear pants and I do, I'm being sacriligious.

And on and on and on.

OK, I get it now!!

Edited November 26, 2005 by Sioux-cia

[Teeder11]

Seriously... you guys think about this stuff way too much. Lace up some skates, hit the pond, if they're frozen yet down in the Forks. Just do something.

Concerned in Canada

[PCM]

Today, the New York Times had an article on the Sioux nickname:

A Dispute of Great Spirit Rages On

Opponents of the nickname say that Engelstad purposely filled the arena with logos in a show of defiance.

Isn't it funny that nobody from the media ever sees Engelstad's action as a staunch defense of the First Amendment and of free expression? Because that's exactly what it was.

From The Bismarck Tribune:

Grael Gannon: Where does Indian name dispute end?

So be it. Let's get rid of the Fighting Sioux iconography and associated appurtenances. The Indians have invited us to vacate this scene, and who so lacks dignity as to stay where he is not wanted?

It may be very expensive to drill out all the offending symbols at the Engelstad Arena and similar venues, but I have a practical suggestion. Just paint a big black circular spot over each one. After all, the blackball is a most apt symbol of that act whereby a tiny minority can veto the desires of a majority.

I've always thought those periodic efforts to change the name of North Dakota some of the dumbest things I'd ever heard of. Alas, poor conservative prescriptive me. Now I've seen the light. Dropping the name is no longer just a matter of bad taste. It's now a moral issue.

[Sioux-cia]

Seriously... you guys think about this stuff way too much. Lace up some skates, hit the pond, if they're frozen yet down in the Forks. Just do something.

Concerned in Canada

We are. We're speaking up for our rights and our beliefs!

Thanks for your concern.

[dagies]

Today, the New York Times had an article on the Sioux nickname:

A Dispute of Great Spirit Rages On

But that's not the point," he said. "As long as the name exists, it provides a breeding ground for this kind of problem. If it's gone, we can move forward on other issues."

BALONEY

[Sioux-cia]

BALONEY

Agree. Not moving forward on issues that are affecting the American Indians is due to their apathy, not school nicknames and logos.

Edited November 27, 2005 by Sioux-cia

[choyt3]

Agree. Not moving forward on issues that are affecting the American Indians is due to their apathy, not school nicknames and logos.

But it is so easy to simply stand back and whine/complain and blame EVERYONE else for all of your problems.

I had a professor/advisor in college when I was at UMC that always made a point to his students by saying "Remember... when you are busy pointing your finger at someone else for all of your problems, there are three other fingers on that same hand pointing right at YOU!"

[SFSIOUX#1]

I would assume then based upon the statements regarding "Eagles" in previous posts that any team with Eagles would then be hostile and abussive as well? ???

[Sioux-cia]

I would assume then based upon the statements regarding "Eagles" in previous posts that any team with Eagles would then be hostile and abussive as well?

Holy @rap, you're right!

First the names to blame, now the symbols, then it will be the colors, then they'll blame representative athletes' ethnic/culture/race, it will go on and on. Given that 'bright' future, the American Indian will have to wait generations before 'moving on to other issues'.

Just imagine what this country would be today if every immigrant, from day one, decided to wait until all the injustices they faced disappeared before they went forward for the betterment of their futures?

[The Sicatoka]

Holy @rap, you're right!

I've been warning of that for a while now.

See Post 15 here.

Edited November 29, 2005 by The Sicatoka

[puck]

WDAZ just reported that ABC's Nightline will air a report on the Sioux nickname tomorrow (Wed) night.

[PCM]

WDAZ just reported that ABC's Nightline will air a report on the Sioux nickname tomorrow (Wed) night.

I can hardly wait.

[SiouxMD]

I can hardly wait.

Did WDAZ indicate that the report will focus only on UND or the nickname controversy in general?

If only UND...why are we so special? Is it because of Engelstad?

[puck]

Did WDAZ indicate that the report will focus only on UND or the nickname controversy in general?

If only UND...why are we so special? Is it because of Engelstad?

WDAZ's announcement indicated that it would focus on the NCAA's ruling and controversy. They showed video of the exterior of REA during the announcement.

[HockeyMom]

I hope they show unbiased and fair reporting on both sides of the issue.

*starts laughing*

That will happen.

[Goon]

Apparently ABC's Night Line has postponed the show on the Fighting Sioux Nick Name.

[PCM]

From The Penn (Indiana, PA):

University considers next mascot move

[puck]

Apparently ABC's Night Line has postponed the show on the Fighting Sioux Nick Name.

The segment on the Native American name issue has been rescheduled for next Monday, which means with Monday night football, it will air early am Tues.

[Goon]

The segment on the Native American name issue has been rescheduled for next Monday, which means with Monday night football, it will air early am Tues.

Way to show it when no one will see it. Most on the east coast will be in bed after MNF because they have to go to work on Tuesday.