Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News

UND should move on

May 14, 2006 - 02:08:12 CDT

The University of North Dakota, its graduates and sports boosters have conducted the formal struggle to continue using the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo in an impassioned yet disciplined manner, abiding by the protocols set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for waging the struggle.

They’ve fought for what they believed in.

Now it’s time for UND and its well-wishers to retire the nickname and logo, move on with the business of education and continue to field good sports teams.

UND can lead the people of North Dakota in moving on, getting past the controversy.

The tone of the dispute as it’s now being waged between people is not helpful. In matter of fact, the controversy has become plainly divisive, exposing our capacity to reduce public discourse to the level of name-calling and insult.

It has been sobering to witness the controversy itself becoming the controversy.

The ruling of the NCAA that forbids schools with nicknames, logos or mascots deemed to be “hostile and abusive” from hosting or participating in posteason tournament play nearly has been set aside as the subject of civilized debate.

People have been snarling at others as they alternately have been defensive or have gone on the offense, attacking or defending the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

It’s not good for anyone now.

It has shown us that anyone can resort to using ethnic slurs.

UND can help us by setting a good tone for the present — how to yield while preserving dignity — so that the ethnic part of the controversy especially need not be carried into a future of bitterness. UND can continue its work of education as a multicultural institution, valuing what each discrete group brings into the campus mix.

And UND certainly can help by continuing to send superb hockey teams out onto the ice, giving fans something positive to focus on — a reason to cheer and show pride.

If UND does its part by seeking a new nickname and logo, the NCAA should be gracious and reasonable. It should allow UND a generous amount of time, especially because UND will need to deal with the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

UND could remain the Fighting Sioux for a certain period of time, since the NCAA would know the school’s intentions and should accept a show of good faith by the school.

If the nickname and logo battle is allowed to be settled peacefully, then everyone concerned should refrain from casting the outcome in terms of a victory or a defeat.

Instead, it’s all about UND moving on to the next school year and the ones after it, doing what it’s done throughout its history, concentrating on education and enjoying athletics.

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Comments

LREE56 wrote on May 15, 2006 1:17 PM:

" Our family gathered for a meal at a Minot truck stop, where we were ogled (We are visibily Native American.). Then the racial remarks and open hatred began from a table of middle-aged and older white group sharing 2 tables. They were upset about the Fighting Sioux logo issue and simply chose to vent for our benefit. It was ugly, ignorant, and distracting; we don't frequent that facility anymore due to the nature of clientele. "

chippasiouxgirl wrote on May 15, 2006 12:48 AM:

" I don't understand why we're trying to fight over a name when people who go to school there are proud of it? Isn't it a little too late for anyone to even barge on this issue? Should have been dead long time ago. Why we trying to argue over something that is not such a big deal at all? I'm Native American and I can honestly say that I think the name should stay. Everyone is just arguing over something so small and it's getting really overrated. "

Wondering wrote on May 14, 2006 3:15 PM:

" Can anyone substantiate the rumor that Ralph Engelstad's will had a provision in it that the new $100 million Engelstad Arena be imploded if the name and logo were changed? I'm wondering if this is the truth or an urban legend. If it's true... it's his building and he can do with it as he wants, even from beyond. "

A horse of a different color wrote on May 14, 2006 2:14 PM:

" I disagree with whose horse is it-It is time to move on, especially when the real issue gets clouded by personal attacks on people, actually I think that shows exactly why the name and logo should be dropped! Why should the Chairman take total blame for what goes on in the tribal government, after all he doesn't even vote on some of the issues, perhaps the chairman of the judicial committee should shoulder his share of the blame. And since when is a tribal leader run down because he opposes someone who is trying to keep an archaic school sports name and logo-isn't this exactly why the name and logo should be changed-the comment by whose horse is it is a glaring example of what happens when people insist on continuing to sport feathers and tomahawks in an inappropriate manner! "

whosehorseisit wrote on May 14, 2006 11:18 AM:

" The University of ND Fighting Sioux sports teams are respected athletes and winners. Their name is not hostile or abusive except to a minority of a minority. The thunder over the Fighting Sioux comes from from a man whose nationality should be investigated, as well as his implied relationship to Sitting Bull, the authenticity of his donated headdress, his power to remove women from tribal positions and the extent of his tribal authority. The future of the Fighting Sioux name should be decided by a vote of the public whose tax dollars fund the university system and not some policing organization or by a phoney Native American leader or by an editorial suggesting UND should throw in the towel and move on. Perhaps the Tribune would front the cost of a name change in exchange for being the headquarters for a new name contest. Those few who insist Fighting Sioux is hostile and abusive are prying open differences between natives and whites instead of moving on. "

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