The List of Unexpecteds

[The Sicatoka]

We know the NCAA is targetting

[PCM]

Of course the Indian princess with a mountain named for her is now a mascot at Penn State: the Nittany Lion.

I had Penn State fan tell me that Nittany has nothing to do with American Indians. The Indian princess was a myth invented by a local bussinessman.

Of course, the stantard today isn't what is really true, but what someone like Susan Harjo proclaims to be true. So the Nittany Lions could potentially be on the list, regardless of whether they deserve to be.

Edited October 30, 2006 by PCM

[TheGreatSiouxNation]

I have often wondered why the "white elites" at UND never complain about SU using a highly Native American Religious symbol as their mascot?? Is not the Bison held in high regard in their culture? And the "White Buffalo" held as one of the most spiritural?

This has always bugged me why NDSU gets a pass from the nickname nazis. If UND changed their name to the "Cross Bearers" would they still be in an outrage.

Just wondering why religious symbols are not a target also?

[bincitysioux]

UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos

The Gaucho was known to be a liberty loving cowboy of the South Americas, combining the qualities of both Mexican and Indian hertiages.

Sounds to me like they're "exploiting" two ethnic groups.

[Riverman]

We know the NCAA is targetting

[DamStrait]

You could add the Fighting Scots,Fighting Scots

Just for the record, I am in support of the Fighting Scots!

Aye laddie, I as well.

[The Sicatoka]

Of course, the stantard today isn't what is really true, but someone like Susan Harjo proclaims to be true. So the Nittany Lions could potentially be on the list, regardless of whether they deserve to be.

The standard is:

It's not what you say, it's how I interpret what I think you might have said.

[MafiaMan]

I have mentioned "Jayhawks" previously.

Origin of Jayhawks

Another More Descriptive Version...

[The Sicatoka]

What's a TarHeel?

Gee, it's a name that honors a North Carolina unit that fought for the pro-slavery side in the US Civil War. Wouldn't that be "hostile and abusive" to the folks who were slaves in that era?

[GeauxSioux]

Ole Miss Rebels

Old article, but still poignant.

Colonel not exactly a longtime tradition

"Personally," Gates continues, "I'd rather have no mascot in Atlanta for the SEC championship game than have Colonel Rebel in Shreveport for the Independence Bowl."

Many, many others, including so many letter writers to this newspaper, disagree. They say they prefer tradition to political correctness. They believe if Colonel Rebel dies this year, the nickname Rebels may soon follow.

[The Sicatoka]

The Union College Dutchmen?

[Goon]

The Union College Dutchmen?

Lets not forget the Dutch of Central College in Iowa.

Central College

[dagies]

While this is a fun exercise, it seems to me that it is off of the central argument that UND has to make.

Is the NCAA saying that UND shouldn't use a Native American nickname because it used to have a negative connotation? Or is it saying that, because it's a Native American name, that UND shouldn't use it?

I'm thinking it's the latter, and if so all the similarities between these other names who used to have a negative connotation (and now don't) to Sioux really don't seem to factor in to the central argument. Which, it seems to me, is whether or not it's appropriate to use the name or identity of another culture or race of people.

I see the argument regarding the fact they ignore the Fighting Irish to be a lot more pertinent than whether a nickname once had a negative connotation associated with it.

[The Sicatoka]

We know the NCAA is targetting

[The Sicatoka]

Is the NCAA saying that UND shouldn't use a Native American nickname because it used to have a negative connotation? Or is it saying that, because it's a Native American name, that UND shouldn't use it?

If the key is "original negative connotation" may I direct you to "Hoosiers".

If the key is "Native American" name, why does their original statement say, " ... in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin"?

PS: How could we have forgotten the San Diego State Aztecs?

[LeftyZL]

PS: How could we have forgotten the San Diego State Aztecs?

I thought the NCAA stated somewhere that San Diego State wasn't on the list because the Aztec People are no longer in existence, therefore they weren't able to ask what they thought of the name. That's what I recall at least. If that's correct, then UofIllinois is in the same boat.

[dagies]

If the key is "original negative connotation" may I direct you to "Hoosiers".

If the key is "Native American" name, why does their original statement say, " ... in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin"?

I think it's pretty clear the former isn't where they base their argument. However, I agree we should be all over them on the latter, which we are.

[undsportsfan]

I have often wondered why the "white elites" at UND never complain about SU using a highly Native American Religious symbol as their mascot?? Is not the Bison held in high regard in their culture? And the "White Buffalo" held as one of the most spiritural?

This has always bugged me why NDSU gets a pass from the nickname nazis. If UND changed their name to the "Cross Bearers" would they still be in an outrage.

Just wondering why religious symbols are not a target also?

Religious symbols vary from culture to culture, tribe to tribe.

However when regarding UND's issue, Eagle feathers are a ceremonial/religious relic and many do not appreciate seeing these being walked on at REA, at the bottom of dog dishes, floor mats, dog chains or wiping their mouths with them. For many it can be compared to the Jesus' cross being walked on, etc.

[The Sicatoka]

Eagle feathers are a ceremonial/religious relic ....

The only seen eagle feathers on campus were worn by a real, enrolled tribal member.

I've seen granite in the floor in the shape of an eagle feather walked on, but that's not an eagle feather.

[PCM]

I've seen granite in the floor in the shape of an eagle feather walked on, but that's not an eagle feather.

I've also seen eagle feathers depicted on the side of a Grand Forks bus as part of an ad for a tribal casino. The bus, and thus the eagle feather artwork, was spattered with mud and covered with road grime. I never heard anyone protest this as an abuse of tribal religious symbols.