Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - University of North Dakota Indian Association pres resigns

University of North Dakota Indian Association pres resigns

Nov 16, 2006 - 12:04:23 CST

By the Associated Press

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The president of the University of North Dakota Indian Association has resigned, saying his view in favor of the school's Fighting Sioux nickname may not sit well with other members of the group.

Christopher Peltier, a UND junior and a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, said the nickname issue never came up in board meetings but in private conversations, board members and others made him feel he was not the right spokesman for the organization.

The association board voted last year to oppose the nickname. Peltier said he was not a UND student at the time.

``There are more Indian students here that don't care about the logo, who are just here to get an education,'' Peltier said. ``But their voices aren't as loud as the few students that are against it. I just wanted those students that weren't against it to get involved and feel they could be a part of the UND Indian Association.''

All American Indian students who enroll at UND are members of the association but about 30 are active participants, acting president B.J. Rainbow said. The group organizes a Spring Powwow, lectures and other events.

Rainbow said board members respected Peltier's opinion but thought he should reflect the board's resolution against the nickname when speaking as their president. He said no one asked Peltier to resign and the parting was friendly.

Rainbow, who has been vice president of the association, said he plans to serve as president through the rest of the year. He also is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, but his father is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Rainbow and Peltier served together as Marines in Iraq before attending UND. Rainbow said he still considers Peltier one of his best friends.

Peltier said he does not think the Fighting Sioux logo creates a hostile and abusive environment on UND's campus as the NCAA contends.

``I personally haven't seen it,'' he said. ``Things happen to Indian students, but that's racism in general. I don't think it's caused by the logo.''

The NCAA has banned the nickname in postseason play and UND is fighting the ban in court.

Rainbow said he discussed the issue often with Peltier, but disagreed.

``I'm not saying if the logo and the nickname are gone racial prejudice will go, too,'' Rainbow said. ``I grew up in Bismarck with no logo and I experienced it from fourth grade on to college. I believe racism and prejudice is a path and this logo is a doorway to it.''

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Comments

UND Native Alumni wrote on Dec 8, 2006 11:41 AM:

" Mr. Peltier has clearly proven that he was not the person for the job in the first place. If he was he would have seen the problems the name/logo generate here on campus. I wish sometimes I could be "Indian" and not look it, but God gave me this black hair and dark skin, not like some who are on this campus. You may not agree with me, but if you look Native and actually grew up in you Indian culture, you'd be able to see the injustice that happens on this campus. Mitakuye Oyasin. "

UND Graduate wrote on Nov 17, 2006 11:25 AM:

" I have been to many sporting events at UND. They use the logo respectfully. The athletic department probably displays more respect for the Native Americans that we do to ourselves. It is not very tactful to sit on the curb with protest signs. Grow up people. As far as the mascot, I have seen none and what are you people saying, that is ok to make presentations at schools and other places in Grand Forks. You feel it is wrong to use the logo, but to display your children at other events. I am proud to be Native American and not afraid to have my children display what they feel the most proud of. Maybe UND should do away with the logo and not display Indian Logo and also do away with their Pow-wow, which may also be considered display. "

Doug wrote on Nov 17, 2006 10:52 AM:

" Even if we experience prejudice, a sincere Native American at heart will be strong enough to just overlook it. This young man is strong in many ways, to be able to make have a mind of his own, not able to be forced to believe that he is not Indian because he is pro-logo, willing to venture out in the world, serve his country, get an education and eventually a career. People respect the fact that the resignation was not because he was weak, but not willing to be part of something that disallows him to be a leader. "

Elder wrote on Nov 17, 2006 10:27 AM:

" Thank you to Peltier for standing up for what you believe in that is what a true Indian would do. Students should be there to obtain an education, enjoy life and to those of you who thrive on trouble, get of your high horse, quit making trouble, get an education and be leaders, not followers. Elders, quite making trouble for the youngsters. If they take away the logo, what will really change prejudice. We all should be grown up enough to deal with it if it is really there. The logo is a small issue and we should be spending more of our energy supporting these young individuals. I don't feel he is a quitter, but energetic, intelligent and knows that he shouldn't be spending all his precious time on such a small issue, take all your time and energy youngster and get an education. "

Sioux for ever wrote on Nov 17, 2006 8:06 AM:

" Peltier was wrong for stepping down. He should have stayed in that position. When there are any associations there needs to be checks and balances. He only needs to be fair to both positions. He should have learned that in the Corp. Never the less, people have choices. It the school name offends some one then go to school some where else. It's like the person who stays in the haunted house no matter what. Some people spend to much time looking inward rather than outward. They are stuck in a one dementional box. Hence the term think out of the box. I am a Souix indian who has left ND for other things in life. One thing I can tell you is that there is racism but every little thing that happens negitively toward you is not racism. Keep the logo and move onward toward a rewarding positive life. "

Dave wrote on Nov 16, 2006 8:48 PM:

" Here's the other side of the story from the Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/191/story/806092.html "

Dave wrote on Nov 16, 2006 8:43 PM:

" Winners never quit and quitters never win. "

HanpaSunka wrote on Nov 16, 2006 7:28 PM:

" We are the D/N/Lakota People, NOT the "Sioux". "Sioux" is an insult from the Ojibwe People's language, shortened from "nadewiesioux", meaning "a treacherous snake/an untrustworthy person". This Ndn grandmother will pass on being called "Sioux", thank you, & I will continue to teach my grandchildren that "we are NOT 'sioux', regardless of what the washichu renamed us. Although, I have no problem with our ability to fight & do that job well when it's needed. For those who don't realize it, many of our 'modern' tribal names come from the habit of the washichu to rename everything. When they wanted to know the name of the next Ndns over the hill, they asked the nearest Ndn, who told them "what?" Told them those Ndns were whatever their name was for 'enemy' or some 'slam name'. Thus, the "Navajo" were renamed with the Ute word for "head bashers"; the "Apache" were renamed with the Dine' ("Navajo") word for "enemy"; & so on & on. That doesn't mean we Ndns should all just give up & let ourselves be renamed, however. These days, the most recent renaming has come from the Political-Correctness Police, who renamed us "Native Americans". I'm an Ndn & proud of it; & so are my many grandchildren. I only say "Native American" with gritted teeth - political correctitude grates on me. The day I need someone to think for me is the day I begin the Long Walk South (as we elders did in the pony-drag days; when there were no "thought police"). I will "never" be "sioux". And neither should you who are of D/N/Lakota blood. Hechetu ye. "

UND Grad wrote on Nov 16, 2006 6:33 PM:

" Thank you to Peltier for giving the "rest" of the story and for trying to represent the general Native American population. It is truly sad that the issue was not handled officially by the "entire" board, but driven by the personal opinions of a few squeaky wheels who express their opinions behind closed doors, followed by endorsing this philosophy as representing "all" Native Americans' thought. The Sioux name has always appeared to bring a positive and strong concept with honor in representing UND. The loss of the Sioux name would be a great loss to the University and North Dakota Let's go Sioux "

Neutral wrote on Nov 16, 2006 4:52 PM:

" If the logo creates the opportunity for racism, then should we get rid of all the guns because they create the opportunity for people to be shot? There are ump-teen examples like that, just something to think about. "

USU ALUMNI NativeAm wrote on Nov 16, 2006 4:28 PM:

" Know I have a chance to advocate for my School, but the Sioux Issue is gone far beyond what people forsee it as. It is a School Name, and this summer I'v had a chance to visit other reservations other then my own in North Dakota..Mostly coming from people who were not Sioux I herd rude coments from. This issue clearly sounds Native American and has nothing to do with the student population..Racism is a part of our Society, no matter where you go, no matter how much money you have..The color of your money even makes a difference..Try and get a vehicle financed in North Dakota...Thats why I live in Utah..Society there at home is not ready to accept the fact that we have money..Our Casino money, we can't even choose how we want to spend that..racism, how about ignorance!! Our people need to recognize that there are other Colleges through out the United States, and do they offer good learning enviornments Yes they do..Movers and shakers only deter us by denying and voiding us Native Americans as honest citizens..simply because we are stigmatized. I like to visit North Dakota from time to time, my study of society in general has made me realize why people never stay in North Dakota..I bought a Car part in Bismarck, where I bought it doesn't matter...They were rude and ignorant and to get that part..was like it was the last thing in the world that I needed..Thats how I was treated..my 80 year old mom had to stand there and wait..they treated us like we were less then human..she said after, all these years and here in Bismarck they still treat us bad..I have been coming to Bismarck and buying my groceries and what I need..and they still treat me like I am an animal. I told her Mom, they are misserable people thats why they treat everyone else bad. Would I ever live or send my kids to College in North Dakota...NO "Keep the Fighting Sioux, because thats what it takes to live in North Dakota." "

To PO3 wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:50 PM:

" Let me assure you PO3 that the Native population does not consist of drug addicts, alcoholics and women with no husbands and bunch of kids. To me that sounds more like the Trailer Park where are the White people live. The same type of people that say the logo is not offense are the same type that think like PO3 does. Indian people are not you mascots. Do away with the UND nickname. "

PO3 wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:45 PM:

" There are so many more problems facing american indians then a logo, but they are rarely dealt with in a way that will solve them. Same problems have presisted for year after year and we all know about them. If we gave as much energy to stopping alcohol, drug abuse, and out of wedlock babies as we have on the logo issue, then maybe there would be some progress made. However, that's not likely to happen. The logo is like an anthill next to a mountain in measurement of problems that should be addressed first. "

Yee Haw wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:07 PM:

" The way these to respect each other, makes me proud and gives hope to all. "

SIOUX Forever wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:04 PM:

" How sad. A member of the majority when it comes to Native Americans, but a minority on the Board of Whiners...so he felt pressured enough to step down. The PC crowd should be ashamed of themselves. "

UND logo should go wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:58 PM:

" I as a Native American citizen of ND do not support the logo. It may not be the root cause of prejudice toward Native Americans but does create an opportunity for it. Maybe the former UND Indian Assoc. pres. may not have experienced racism (yet), but if his characteristics are Indian, eventually he will so he shouldn't be surprised if he attends a UND sports events and someone makes racial taunts at him. Racists don't distinguish between Tribal groups. In the next (50) years, we will look back and say "how could we ever thought this was right", sort of like when there was a time in ND when some business owners had signs that said "No Dogs or Indians allowed". Natives need to shed their colonized minds and thinking! "

UND Grad wrote on Nov 16, 2006 1:32 PM:

" Thank you to Peltier for giving the "rest" of the story and for trying to represent the general Native American population. It is truly sad that the issue was not handled officially by the "entire" board, but yet is driven by the personal opinions of a few squeaky wheels who express their opinions behind closed doors, followed by endorsing this philosophy as representing "all" Native Americans' thoughts. The Sioux name has always appeared to bring a positive and strong concept with representing UND. Let's go Sioux "

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