Sunday, February 21, 2010
Fate of the Sioux nickname
I was reading in the Grand Forks Herald about the "fate of the Sioux nickname Unknown" article. The Fargo Forum as an article about the Sioux nickname to. The article talks about about the UND nickname "Fighting Sioux" might be changing to something else. According to the Feb. 19 Fargo Forum "the date is taken from a university lawsuit settlement with NCAA, included University of North Dakota athletics nickname that it said were "hostile and abusive" to American Indians." I don't think the UND nickname is hostile and abusive to the American Indians. I think it is a honor for them to use the nickname. Other states wouldn't even know the Sioux Indian tribe exist if it wasn't for the UND nickname. The nickname promotes their name to the Nation. The lawsuit was settled in October 2007 that UND was given until Nov. 30 2010 to discard the nickname or obtain permission from North Dakota's Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes to continue using it. Last April, 67% of the tribe supported the nickname. So only a few of the tribe members want UND to change the nickname. The name does not make the women, men, and children become invisible because of the historical images of the male warrior. When I hear "Fighting Sioux" I think of the whole tribe fighting or the whole team fighting to win. If they do change the nickname it's going to cost the university alot of money and time. UND is moving to NCAA Division I status and wants to join the 10-school Summit League. The Summit League officials will not consider UND's application until the nickname dispute is resolved. The officials will meet by phone in March and than again in June face-to-face. If UND is unable to apply by June they will have to wait tell 2011 to try to apply again. UND will be out a year in that process and who knows something could happen in that year where they won't allow UND in the Summit League when they do have this nickname dispute resolved. The nickname should stay the same. The town of Grand Forks thrives on the Fighting Sioux nickname.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This has definitely been an on-going situation in North Dakota. I agree with you Eric, this is a bad situation to be put in. If they do not get this situation figured out by this year and can't apply for the Summit League, they may never find another league interested. With that time taken away, other teams may join and by the time they are able to apply, the league may not want to add anymore teams. The Fighting Sioux needs to stay as the UND nickname!
ReplyDeleteThis issue seems to be of big controversy but as you said, 67% of the tribe supported the nickname. That’s over half and I do not see the big deal in keeping the nickname. It has been with the school for so many years, why change it now. I also think of the team as fighters, fighters to be the best they can be. Not fighters in a hostile way, killing and so on. It seems to only be a select few that feel belittled because of the name. Which of course, it is just a name. Also, they only have so long to join the League. They need to take advantage of that as soon as they can. Like you and Rylan said…the league might not be interested in the future.
ReplyDeleteI dont see what the big deal is if the tribes say they dont mind. Just another way of someone trying to get mroe money some how. Like oyu said changing the nickname will cost the school a lot of money and time. I hope UND gets to keepp their name and move up to the D1 level. It is great to see a program and school take a step to getting better.
ReplyDeleteThere always seems to be someone in the group that has to shake things up a bit and the 33% who are against the nickname have done just that. I agree fully on what you think of when you hear "Fighting Sioux". I would think the people of the Sioux tribe would be proud that a group wants to honor their heritage. If it is resolved that the name does need to be changed I feel this should not be the end. There are many sports teams that have nicknames or mascots who represnt Native American tribe which should be changed to stay consitant. If one has to change they should all have to change.
ReplyDelete