Bismarck, North Dakota News

" Okay this is ridiculous. I'm a Native who goes to UND and I couldn't care less what our mascot is. This whole thing is so sterio-typed. Not all natives are offended by this. I'm not, none of my native friends are. It's a freaking mascot, stop making this bigger than it is. We all live together as equals. It's not copy righted for crying out loud, they can use it, it's not against the law, or a sin, it's purely opinions that are pinned on people who don't even care. "

" Why do we have to be the "fighting" anything? Why cann't we just be an outstanding sports team that believes in good sportsmanship and giving us a good game to watch? Grow up people. There really is more to life then just sports. It the Sioux name, which actually means "little snake", is offensive to indians, then retire it with honors and get on with you life. Roland Riemers of North Dakota. "

" I think that people should be careful what they wish for. I have no problem with them changing the name, but how about other names that might be construed as being offensive. I know that the term "Indian" is offensive. How about "Indiana" "Indianapolis" lets change the names of this city and state. I am from Minnesota it is a Native American word. Is this offensive to anyone? Let's change it! Sioux City Iowa! Let's change it! Be very careful what you wish for. I am an American of Bohemian and German heritage. I need to find things that offend me so I have something to complain about. Be very careful! "

" I'm doing research into the whole Native American mascot thing and I have to say that the research points towards bias perceptions and allows sterotypes. This restricts Native Americans to have a true impact in first impressions amoung other things. It allows for discrimination to be pronounced North America wide. I would be suprised if one person actually admits that they have ridiculed Native Americans because of the images. Be real. Don't hide your ignorance. "

" This is a sham, ND should sue and will probably win. There's nothing wrong with Fighting Sioux, it's a term of honor. The NCAA is making another moronic decision, and it's really sad that people want it to get away with this. GO ND! "

" I have a hard time figuring out how a name can get some people so excited. I live in Mahnomen and there mascot is the Indians. In talking to members of the White Earth tribe, I cannot find one that would be happier if the name were changed. Give it a rest! If the name is changed I hope the school closes from the expense it takes to remove all those beautiful symbols in the Ralph. Who will that help then? "

" 'Sioux' is just as derogatory as the "N" word used for African Americans. How long before people open their eyes and quit using such derogatory words to describe our Dakota/Lakota/Nakota People? "

" I graduated from an out of state college, I have one question that I would like to ask. Hopefully someone could give me the right answer. After ALL THESE YEARS of UND going by the "Fighting Sioux" why are they just now worried about it? Why didn't they complain long ago, before everyone fell in Love with UND SIOUX? My brother graduated from there and never had any problems with racism, and we are almost full blooded Sioux. It really makes you wonder....everyone run out of things to complain about so they have to create things??? I am another Native American (Sioux) that supports UND....GO FOR IT!! "

" We are not automobiles, pet animals or little girls with the last name "Fanning." We are real people with enough sense to know when we are being ridiculed. Wade Crowe, enrolled with the Yanktonai Hunkpati Dakota Nation of Crow Creek, South Dakota "

" To the previous poster saying UND is one of the "most culturally devoted campuses in the nation" is a crock. If you've been to UND you know it's full of the drunk sons and daughters of drunk alcoholic sugar beet farmers who hate Native Americans and enjoy goading the Native Americans by ripping off their identity. And then they're like, "What did we do? We're honoring you!" You don't know what honor is, particularly when it comes to honoring treaties. REMOVE THIS NAME FROM YOUR PODUNK WHITEBREAD CAMPUS OF SMALL TOWN DRUNKS. IT'S NOT YOUR NAME, YOU STOLE IT AND YOU'RE USING IT WRONG. "

" I applaud the NCAA for making the decision they made!! I was a student at UND School of Medicine and did feel very offended by the nickname & all the negative connotations that it represents. I understand that people want to be proud of thier school's mascot, but when you use another race/group of people to do that it is wrong. Alot of the opinions and they are only opinions about the use of the logo/nickname come from Non native people or more assimulated Native Americans saying that they are honoring us or that the use is in a respectful manner, but you have a lot of foolish undergraduate students who still like to use the name/logo in a racist and disrespectful way. While at the School of Medicine I educated the other future physicians about my opinions & my feelings on the subject, then they understood, but then again the Medical School does have a higher caliber more educated, open-minded set of students. Afterall they are future physicians and are going to be in the practice of helping all people no matter what color their skin is. Another untrue fact is that most people think that the $$$ that are spent on Indian programs are coming from the University, that is not true most of the money comes from outside funding sources and it is a privilege for UND to have such programs, the funders can and might send their money elsewhere. For instance the INMED program is a federally funded program that does not have any money coming from the university. I find it ironic that UND has the most supportive Indian programs & a new Native American center in the making, yet they still do not treat native students with respect. Another point I wish to make is that most people will say if you are being harassed so much why stay, but everyone has the right to get a good education at the college/university of their choice. I was proud to graduate with an MD degree from UND, but not proud of the logo/nickname. I want my children to attend UNDSMHS and hopefully by then this issue will be a moot point. Way to go NCAA!!!!! "

" How do stereotpyes and racism pass on from generation to generation? Through LEARNING. any questions? "

" Let's just call 'em the Fighting Soo. They can have a defunct railroad car stuck in an alkalai slough as their mascot. This issue really shows how misplaced Americans are with their passions--on both sides of the issue. Death threats and rascism? People marching in the streets? Give me a break. Your bellies are far too full, Americans. You should all be called Grosventres....but, then, we'd have the Hidatsa marching now then, wouldn't we? "

" I did not attend UND but am a native and do not support the nickname. How does this honor and respect natives, if you want to honor and respect us treat us like you honor and respect us, don't put our ancestors on a logo. How many natives have you respected and honored personally? If you want to honor and respect us then the first step is to get rid of the name and logo thats common sense. The real issue is this, if iraq was to win the war and put the north dakotans on a reservation and put there property in trust and they had no economic development and sent there children to boarding school and made them speak iraq and convert to the muslim religion would or could you just forget about your relatives who fought for your country? Some of the grandparents who were sent to boarding school did not have the parenting skills that come with having parents and there is a list of issues this chaos caused. Many were abused and that is why natives are against the logo. We are trying to take care of ourselves but this just continues the ignorance. "

" Having attended & graduated from UND more than once, I have always upheld the name Sioux and Fighting Sioux as very respectful and honoring native americans. However after the nickname is changed, it will be too late for the silent native americans & others to say, "I wish UND would have kept it as it really honored Natives." If we can't have "Fighting Sioux," I recommend the following: "Fighting Germans", " Fighting Vikings", "Fighting Mustangs","Fighting Eagles" (my favorite as it is also our national symbol), "Fighting Flickertails", etc. It will be too late to have the largest North Dakota University honoring those who lived in North Dakota first to return to honoring them every time "UND" suits up to honor whatever group they do by their name. Just because someone had a bed experience doesn't mean that the logo or mascot had anything to do with it. It just may be that when "Fighting Sioux" is dissolved, that UND no longer has the will to fight racism that it now does. It is sad that an honor is looked upon as disrespect. "

" I find this world to be filled with different opinions and all should be respected. I do not live in the place where this taking place so do not know how the Minorities in question are being treated, but if this Minoritie feels that the motto should be change for there dignity and pride they should do change it. Yet it will not help the racism prejudice or animosity the Native American face. "

" I am wondering why some of the people who commented continued to attend UND for 3 or 4 years if they were so harrassed. My high school mascot was the "Sioux" and I am still proud of that. We are a state whose history is made of up cowboys and indians. Other states honor their history by using the mascots of their past, we can't we? I don't see anyone running around the UND games with a headdress on or a tomahawk. I feel the college itself has done a great job in respecting the name. I am sure a few students sho can't figure out how the world works have been rude or discriminatory, but that happens every day doesn't it? Not just on the UND campus. I also fell that the drawing they use for their mascot is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is meant to honor those Native Americans who once lived on these plains we now call home. Are the Atlanta Braves going to change their names? Washington Redskins? Nope, cause they have the money to keep it going. Its a sad testiment to the state of our country. "

" I am very pleased at NCAA's decision - it's called doing the right thing. As a UND student I witnessed Native students bear the brunt of overt racism because of their anti-logo stance. The thirty one Native programs at UND are NOT funded by UND, and more likely many academic UND programs will receive more funded proposals once the logo is no longer a national issue. Let's go forward and immediately begin talks of retiring the name/logo. "

" The hypocracy of this issue never ceases to amaze me. If one looks up the definition of "Sioux" you will see that it is derived from the French word "nadouessioux" which means "little snakes". The term given the natives of the area by their enemy the Ojibwa. It appears to have been a derogatory name given to people that they could not trust. By the same token, the people termed "sioux" refered to themselves as "Lakota, Nakota or Dakota" depending upon their particular dialog and "council fire". If I am not mistaken the native american's previously termed the sioux take exception to the term and will correct you in that they are either Lakota, Dakota, or Nakota. It is somewhat ironic that those same folks that do not wish to be called a little snake - do not what anyone else called it as well! Similarly, why would an institution of higher education that wishes to honor these same people refer to them as "little snakes?" It comes down to the logo! IF UND wants to be called sioux - then the logo should be that of a little snake! NOT a native american. "

" What would be wrong with "Mighty Sioux"? "

" How about the fighting sugarbeets Time to move on and think of a new name. Quit hidding behind "we honor Indians", because we all know it is far from that here at UND! "

" Having grown up in the Bis/Mandan area, I will be the first to admit that there are too many negative stereotypes that are associated with being Native American. That is why I am confused that some individuals want to take away the logo from an institution that has done nothing but put the Native American culture in a positive and respectful light. Who should be offended, the individuals who are upset to see the Fighting Sioux nickname on ESPN or individuals who put blood, sweat, and tears into reversing negative stereotypes of Native American culture?? "

" What about the "logo" on the side of highway patrol cars? Is that offensive as well? "

" UND HAD BETTER STAY IN THE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE THEY ARE NOW. FORGET A TOUGHER CONFEEENCE. AS A MATTER OF FACT........GET INTO A ND/SD COLLEGE GROUP...NO KIDDING "

" Is it settled? All the ruling said is that UND would not be allowed to hold any games during playoffs if they kept the name. Okay, option 2: Keep the name and forgo hosting playoff games at the Englestad Arena!!!! "

" The issue is settled - I disagree with the decision but its settled - we need to move onto other things - those PC people will end up losing some other battle - Democracy is about give and take and compromise. Move onto the next subject. "

" I was a student at UND from 99 to 93. I'm proud of the Sioux nickname, and find it ridiculous that a vocal fringe minority can scream loud enough to get their way. The overwhelming majority of students and alumni want to keep the name. Yet a handful of squeaky wheels with a politically correct agenda can hijack the majority and force their will upon us. I can assure you that if the NCAA takes the side of the fringe and twists UND's arm to drop the Sioux name, alumni donations will dwindle to nearly nothing. Without those funds, how will UND pay for its Native American programs? I'll admit it would be a different story if Sioux fans at games would be dressing up like Native Americans and doing "tomahawk chop" maneuvers and such, but that doesn't happen. The name is revered and respected as it should be. "

" As a UND alumni myself I am very proud of the Sioux nickname. While at UND there were soo many Native American events on campus that at times I felt like I was in the minority. UND has always honored and respected the name and what it symbolizes. I feel sorry for the people that are holding on to hatred because of racial and cultural differences of people. While I attended UND I was fortunate enough to make many friends of other races and cultures. College is suppose to open your eyes to new ideas and experiences. I hung out with a group of beautiful Native American people who I am still close with today who are also proud of the Sioux name. I can speak for them because I asked them if they found it offensive. It's a shame that a few people can ruin something for everyone! "

" If you look into the history of this nickname, you'll see that originally UND was the Flickertails. Then, the college wanted to sound tougher. The UND rivals being the Bison, the college decided to rename their mascot to the Sioux because the Sioux were seen as Bison killers. This brought about a debate much similar to where we are today, except for with opposite sentiments -- the one side found folks around ND did not want the name to be Sioux becuase they felt the Sioux were dirty savages, and then others wanted it because Sioux were fiece, bison-killing warriors. You'll notice the pros and cons here were both supported by stereotyped characters. Well, there's a lot of history between then and now, including a lot of racism against Native students on campus. And this somehow has manifested itself today as the Fighting Sioux being a symbol of respect? I'll admit that UND does the best they can to be respectful in their use of a human ethnicity as their mascot. And they have certainly marketed that illusion very well. But the true history of the mascot contains absolustely no respect and you are kidding yourself if you think it does. The NCAA is doing the right thing -- finally, after years and years of lobbying from many organizations. Now it's time for UND to do the right thing and banish its support for ethnic stereotyping. "

" I am a Standing Rock Native. I went to school at UND for a period of three years. During that time, I was exposed to ridicule and abuse by non-native students over the nickname issue. When I became a student there I had no opinion on the nickname, it didn't matter to me either way, until my experiences there gave me the opinion I have now. I won't consider finishing my degree at UND for this reason. There is no respect for diversity there. The anger and frustration you feel just being native and walking to class while other students treat you like dirt is unbelievable. What honor? I felt none, nor do I today. My cousin, also from Standing Rock, was a student senator on the UND campus. He received death threats from other students over this issue. Why do people think they are honoring us when the racism is over the top at this institution of "higher learning"? Read the Grand Forks Herald, in the middle of the paper, usually hidden between ads and other nonsense, you will find stories of native students enduring catcalls,rude gestures, and name-calling just for trying to have their voices heard. Honor? Where is the sense in this? "

" There's a difference between being politically correct and being politically significant. I hope the underlying factor(s) in this issue isn't to gain political significance. It's no longer the 1800's or the 1960's. This nation is the world's greatest example of how different religions, races, and political affiliation can, have, and will work together. However, it is also the greatest example of how emotion and ill-guided advice can destroy common sense and logic. It's time our "sensitive" counterparts are challenged with common sense and 2006 logic. I support the Fighting Sioux nickname because I walked the sidewalks of UND's campus and I attended sporting events until my graduation in 2003. The Fighting Sioux name and beautiful logo is used with respect and honor. Furthermore, UND is one of the most culturally devoted campuses in the nation, especially concerning Native American programs both financially and physically. If the NCAA and others would go see this for themselves instead of listening to radical emotionalist professionals they'd draw a logical conclusion instead of pitting people against people. The support Kupchella has sought and been awarded says it all. But, the "sensitive" few who seek nothing but their skewed personal and political agendas continue to destroy progress made of common sense and logic. This [common sense and logic] has shaped our nation since its birth. Why go backwards? Does that make sense to you? It doesn’t to me. But like I said, no one cares about common sense and logic, they care about the warm fuzzy feeling they get because they think they are doing the right thing. Remember, there's a difference in being politically correct and politically significant. It's kind of like the lesson I learned in management class at UND. Above all, be sure you are effective in doing the RIGHT things instead of being just being efficient at doing things. "

" College of law students and they can't keep their logo, this country really is in some trouble. Where is the NAACP to fight for free speech on this issue? "

" I think it should be considered an honor that an institution would use the Sioux name. It shows respect-not abuse. It's too bad that people can't put aside past feelings and let this go. "

" It's official. Let's name them the "Fighting Whitemen", "Crazy Crackers", or "Horrible Honke's." Its real funny to me that i don't see anybody complaining about the "Fighting Irish." I guess their skin must be thicker. "

" I think that the name "fighting sioux" nickname, there is really nothing wrong with the name. I don"t see anything wrong with it even though I am native american myself. But i guess everybody gets offensive in their own way. Really they should ask the native americans that are going to school there, what they think about it. Really people at home there to. I don't live around there so I can't really say anything. "