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A cynical, pyrrhic victory

 
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Nov 04, 2007 - 04:06:07 CST
The settlement of the lawsuit between the University of North Dakota and the NCAA (Oct. 26), granting UND three years to convince North Dakota's Sioux Indian community that "Fighting Sioux" is an inoffensive nickname, is, in my opinion, the worst possible outcome of this long, silly and tedious controversy. The best outcome would have been for UND to accept the NCAA's decision (Aug. 5, 2005) or to have acquiesced after its first (Sept. 28, 2005) or even second (Aug. 28, 2006) formal appeal had been denied by the NCAA. That would have been something like good sportsmanship.

Instead, UND chose to sue the NCAA (Oct. 5, 2006). This effectively dragged the sovereign people of North Dakota (and our attorney general) into a nickname crisis. By suing the NCAA, UND declared that it knows better than the collective collegiate athletic community in America, and knows better indeed than the North Dakota Indian community, which quietly but firmly agreed with the NCAA's position that "Fighting Sioux" is racially insensitive.

The "settlement" not only prolongs a controversy that has already gone on far too long, and continues to divide and distract UND, UND alumni, Grand Forks and North Dakota, but now imposes impossible pressures on North Dakota's Indian communities. The settlement will create new and entirely unnecessary tensions between the white and Indian community. Notice that the tense debate is being moved from its proper sphere (UND) to a completely innocent sphere (the reservation). This is a failure of leadership by UND president Charles Kupchella, if we regard leadership as the making of hard choices and not shunting them off onto people who are not responsible for the crisis.

Given that, it would have been better for the NCAA just to give up and let UND cling to "Fighting Sioux."

As egregious sports team nicknames go, "Fighting Sioux" is not so bad, and the UND mascot, compared with the Cleveland "Indian" or the Washington "Redskin" is arguably dignified. The North Dakota Indian community appears to be genuinely divided between those who find "Fighting Sioux" offensive, those who regard it as benign or even respectful, and those who have better things to think about than a university sports moniker. What really upsets white people about the NCAA's position is the implication that those who support "Fighting Sioux" are racists or racially insensitive. This is almost never true in the simple sense.

The compromise is likely to do damage to North Dakota's Indians, particularly the Dakota and Lakota (Sioux), and it is likely to worsen white-Indian relations in North Dakota. If UND manages to "convince" the Indian leadership that "Fighting Sioux" is inoffensive, many white people will make cynical comments about the "payoff," the annuities wagon of programs, gifts, emoluments, research projects and other benefits that UND will be offering North Dakota's Indians in return for their "understanding." I have already heard such comments.

It's a kind of catch-22 situation for North Dakota's Indians.They will be expected to comply with UND's wishes out of the goodness of their hearts. If they refuse to cooperate, they will immediately become the "bad guys" responsible for the "loss" of "Fighting Sioux." I regard it as outrageous to make North Dakota's Indians bear the burden of settling a controversy they didn't create, about a nickname that appropriates their culture without their consent, using two terms ("fighting" and "Sioux") that do not accurately or fairly represent their cultural identity. If Lakota-Dakota Indian leaders use this moment, in which they are essential to the white man's happiness, to cut the best deal they can for the betterment of their people (which is just what you would expect in any other trademark deal), they will be accused of greed and their "Indianness" will be called into question. Do you see how profoundly unfair that is?

The North Dakota Indian community has made it clear that they do not wish to endorse the continuation of "Fighting Sioux." Instead of accepting their decision with grace, UND is determined to find some way to convince Indians that they are not seeing things in their proper light. White people are now going to venture to the reservations to tell Indians that the counter-rational outcome is actually in their best interest if they will only look at it in a new (that is, our) way. Listen to Earl Strinden, the executive vice president emeritus of UND's alumni association and foundation: "This will give the time for (tribal) elders, and those who are thinking this through at Spirit Lake and Standing Rock, to really consider what are the ramifications - do they really want to drop this identification that many know will cause them greater isolation?"

Sound familiar? Just read American history.

Extravagant promises already have been made by UND to North Dakota's Indians. More are coming.

But here's the worst of it. If, in the course of three years, North Dakota's Indian community refuses to be convinced of the "harmlessness of Fighting Sioux," all the angst that this silly controversy has generated - anger, sense of betrayal, feeling of persecution by the NCAA and the forces of "political correctness," loss of control, the charge of racism - will be turned on the people who least deserve it.

This is a very old and sad story. Historically, when white people have wanted something from Indians, they have sent emissaries with presents and promises. The presents typically have been patched together to get the job done at the least expense. The promises have been as empty as they sometimes have been offered in good earnest. Historically, when Indians have balked at the white man's blandishments, the pile of presents and promises has grown, and the threat level has been increased from orange to red. As often as not, white emissaries have then sought out more cooperative leaders (divide and conquer is the rule), and employed liquor as a mode of persuasion. On those occasions when Indians have refused to sell at any cost, the whites historically have just taken what they wanted, as de Tocqueville put it, with as much violence as necessary, but under the happy cloak of legality.

This is the procedure by which the Black Hills were stolen from the Sioux (Lakota) and the Cheyenne. This is the method by which the boundaries of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara "reservation" were steadily shrunken from the 1851 Fort Laramie settlement (12 million acres) to the current fragment (1 million acres). This is the procedure by which the Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa were "persuaded" to cede their best 152,360 acres to be inundated by Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea.

It needs to stop now.

I have a very simple suggestion. Over the next three years there will be scores, perhaps hundreds, of meetings, between UND officials and UND alumni with Sioux Indian tribal leaders, tribal councils and informal groups of North Dakota Indians. I would like to suggest that an independent observer and a stenographer be at every one of those meetings without a single exception, and that every e-mail, letter and phone call be preserved without emendation. That would not only bring a healthy measure of restraint to the hectic deliberations that are already under way, but would, at some future moment, give historians a paradigmatic case study in what the historian Bruce Johansen has called "the continuing Indian wars."

(Clay Jenkinson is the Theodore Roosevelt scholar-in-residence at Dickinson State University. He lives in Bismarck. Contact Jenkinson at Jeffysage@;aol.com.)
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A cynical, pyrrhic victory
Comments

To daffer wrote on Nov 11, 2007 8:50 PM:

" I reread my post and I don't see the word resent, I have the greatest respect for public officials who work hard for us citizens. I am making a distinction between people who work and someone who is a scholar in residence at Dickinson State University and resides elsewhere. If we could get a hold of wasteful spending like this and use this money for programs for students we would be better off. Ans as to his standing to comment, I agree he has that, will the other side of this opinion get weekly equal time in a column in the paper. "

daffer wrote on Nov 10, 2007 4:07 PM:

" So Nodakman, do you also resent police officers, health inspectors, and DMV workers making a "good living" off the taxpayers, or is it just that you think people working in education don't do "work"? Even if Clay was making a good living off the taxpayers, how in the world is that relevant to the issue at hand? The UND President lives off the taxpayers so he shouldn't express any opinion on the subject? After reading your statements, it seems like you have a chip on your shoulder about educated people in general. I fail to see where it was stated that Clay's opinion is more valid than yours and wonder where you conjured up that notion. You are the one stating that he is sticking his nose where he has no business. Who determines where he "has business?" You? Is he supposed to confirm with you before hand to see if his topic complies with your idea of appropriateness or express the correct opinion? Clay has a weekly column in the paper, so I'm sure he can comment on any issue he wants. Why would you think that he doesn't? "

Nodakman wrote on Nov 9, 2007 4:52 PM:

" I suppose the stipend from Dickinson State is not "tax payer money". I apologize for my illiteracy, my time was spent working and starting my own business and not living off the stipend of others. You act as if by being educated it gives you some special standing to comment on issues of the day. The fact is this working person doesn't believe that his opinion is anymore valid than mine simply because he had the ability to stay in school. I am not sure why you consider him to be rare and sacred because I do not. "

Parent of an Indian child wrote on Nov 8, 2007 2:58 PM:

" Thank you for your words Mr. Jenkinson. As a parent - let me tell you how difficult it is to participate in community events with my children. At an NDSU vs. UND game - my child asks why the fans are yelling "Sioux Suck"? What do I tell her? At the Homecoming parade - she asks me why here is a Indian hanging from his neck off of the field goal post by a rope? These are just a few of the reasons why the logo needs to be changed - it is disgraceful, racist and not the message our Indian people need to be subjected to. This is not honorable - this is not the image of a majestic proud warrior. "

Edward wrote on Nov 8, 2007 10:15 AM:

" To James: You are right! Native americans sould not be treated "like they are stupid and helpless" or like one is "dealing with babies." The Sioux people should be treated like everyone else. There should be not added benefits to any people no matter where they were born in the United States. The government should get out of native american's and everone else's lives and quit providing any monies or benefits to any group. That is the only way native americans can escape the mental slavery of the government and UND. "

doc wrote on Nov 7, 2007 9:25 PM:

" thanks clay for some courageous words that make sense out of this nonsense that is this logo mess. "

James wrote on Nov 7, 2007 6:30 PM:

" Opinions are fine but please don't pass off your opinion as fact which is what a bunch of you poster's are doing. Why don't some of you stop treating american indians like they are stupid and helpless. We aren't dealing with babies here after all. Most of you are acting like your trying to defend a small child. Let the Sioux people (all of them, not just a few in charge) have a say without people puttiing words in their mouth. At this point I couldn't care less about the name and logo, but you people who are telling us the Sioux people can't dedide what is in their own best interest need to get off your high horse. "

Hubs wrote on Nov 7, 2007 8:53 AM:

" UND should drop "Fighting Sioux" when the hypocritical NCAA drops Pontiac as a sponsor. "

Marvin McConoughey wrote on Nov 6, 2007 4:21 AM:

" This is a remarkably silly fight in a world that has truly serious problems needing attention. "

Doug wrote on Nov 5, 2007 2:34 PM:

" What about a simple compromise: The "UND Sioux". It would still recognize a proud people, without focusing on the partial aspect of their historical culture that seems to be so divisive. "

Sad UND Grad wrote on Nov 5, 2007 1:52 PM:

" It will be a sad day when UND drops the Fighting Sioux nickname and that beautiful logo. (UND does not have a mascot) Let us not compound the insult visited on us by the NCAA, Mr. Jenkinson, and thought police by adopting some silly unrepresentative replacement. When the time comes, I suggest we adopt no replacement and simply call ourselves the University of North Dakota. We know who we are. "

To Names, wrote on Nov 5, 2007 1:11 PM:

" I would accept a change from Sioux to Dakotans so that the team is named after the state. If it was good enough for Illinios, it should be good enough for us. I would use the term Fighting Dakotans to honor all of the Nodaks who have served with valor and distinction troughout the history of our great nations. "

Joy wrote on Nov 5, 2007 12:17 PM:

" Can I get an "Amen!" Thanks Clay. Once again, the voice of reason. "

How About These for New UND Names? wrote on Nov 4, 2007 9:08 PM:

" Honked-off Honkers. Screaming Sharptails. Fuming Pheasants. Dominant Ducks. Better than the Oregon Ducks. Fighting Whitetail Deer (since we are so white, and I actually had one fight me!). Fighting Snow Geese (ditto). Fighting Whooping Cranes (ditto). Fighting Red River Catfish. Winter. Winter of '97. The Flood. Flood Survivors. Flood and Fire. Convinced Caucasions. Noble Norwegians. Sanctimonious Scandanavians. Isn't this fun? And as stupid as this drawn-out nonense over the current name? We all need to put this in the past -- NOW -- and get on with a semblance of sanity and our lives. Personally, I like "Flood and Fire." "

What a Waste! wrote on Nov 4, 2007 8:45 PM:

" Of citizen and taxpayer time and money! Do we not have better things to do in North Dakota than to defend what is now indefensible? Whatever the history, whatever the arguments, as Clay wrote, this has now become very tedious. And very expensive. And acrimonious. Just decide on a new name and logo. "

justme wrote on Nov 4, 2007 8:44 PM:

" Good job Clay! As a high school educator we try to teach students about compassion and respect. If there is only one Native American who feels that the "Fighting Sioux" name is disrespectful then we should not use it. With hundreds of "logos" scattered around the UND campus wouldn't you consider that a mascot, Rick? Nodakman, if individuals like Mr. Jenkinson did not get involved with issues like this who would? If I am not mistaken it IS Mr. Jenkinson job to write and speak out on issues, so to me he is doing an excellent job of speaking for people who have little or no voice. "

To: Nodakman wrote on Nov 4, 2007 8:23 PM:

" I have read your posting several times, and I simply cannot believe what I read. By the way, the word is spelled "know," not "no." And what tax dollars are you talking about? I know Clay Jenkinson personally. He gets a stipend from Dickinson State University, but his income is generated almost solely from his work as a scholar and lecturer and writer. In this regard he is the most rare and sacred of American citizens: gaining employment from his in-depth scholarship of subjects and matters that really count in our civilization. From the illiteracy of your posting I hardly think you have reason to criticize. "

Clay has it right wrote on Nov 4, 2007 8:14 PM:

" Have you ever read a more succinct, logical opinion on this mess that UND and its alumni have gotten themselves into? Personally I rather like the "Fighting Sioux" logo, and I have a number of Native American friends who also like it. That no longer matters in the face of what has transpired. The NCAA ruled. UND lost. Other institutions that lost, including the U of Illinois, accepted the ruling and have since changed their logo (and theirs wasn't all that bad either!). No matter. But the "whities" of UND persisted to the tune of $1,000,000! Just think of how this sum could have bettered UND! But no. And now Kupchella and/or his successor have three years to browbeat the Lakota (by the way, the name "Sioux" is a demeaning Chippewa term for the Lakota, meaning "snake" -- they were bitter enemies) into acquiescing to something no institution of higher learning, but especially a state funded institution of higher learning should even involve itself! Shame on the whole lot of you! You besmirch our state and ALL of its citizens! UND teams used to be called the "Flickertails." Not very intimidating, to be sure. So here is an alternative that fits what is now transpiring, and it is based on the Chippewa translation of "Sioux:" The Fighting Snakes! "

Deb wrote on Nov 4, 2007 6:00 PM:

" Clay - thank you. I think a sincere question needs to be posed to all of the people so rabidly wanting the Fighting Sioux logo held - "If you truly honor these people that you characterize, don't you owe it to them to allow for their permission?" And if the answer is no or any form of a disagreement - then they are not being honest about their reasons for wanting the logo. "Bad Indians and Good Indians." Are we STILL there? So sad.... "

Nodakman wrote on Nov 4, 2007 3:41 PM:

" I agree you did it again, you stuck your nose in an area where it has no business. i think if we take a good hard look at the tax dollars that funds your program we would find another waste of money. you sit back and make a good living off the tax payer and weigh in on things you no nothing about. So Mr. Dickinson State scholar in residence get a job or get out. "

Sally wrote on Nov 4, 2007 1:27 PM:

" You have done it again, Clay! You put your finger right on the essence of the problem and what can be done about it. This is the problem with our disrespectful treatment of the Native American peoples. Even hundreds of years after our first such mistreatment of them, we are still getting it wrong. When will we learn to be as respectful of others as we would like to be treated. When will the next mascot(logo) be the Roaring Couch Potatoes or the Screaming Sportsmen or the Idle Assinines? "

John Q. wrote on Nov 4, 2007 12:02 PM:

" Put it to a vote, the University is a PUBLIC Univeristy and is funded by public TAX DOLLARS in part and as such the entire population of ND has the RIGHT to select what they desire the name to be for a State run University. "

K Dorgan wrote on Nov 4, 2007 11:38 AM:

" Clay: To put it succinctly, I completely disagree with you. Now I think a movement should be initated to remove the Indidan logo from the State Highway Patrol vehicles because it is "hostile and abusive". "

PO3 wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:34 AM:

" Clay I think your right about prolonging this fiasco 3 more years. However, your wrong about the university being the one who came up with that name and logo. Standing Rock elders were the ones who approached the university to use that name and logo years ago. So the indians themselves wanted it. My wife is Sioux and mad because a small group she and all her brothers believe are causing this flap they don't see any problem with either the name or logo, and if a vote was taken I'd be willing to bet more in Standing Rock and Fort Totten would keep the name then put it into retirement. But now days the noisiest and the ones who scream the loudest no matter how few they are get their ways. And yes there will be hatred on both sides because of what has happened. Gipp will come with his hand out to say lets all be friends after this is over. Ain't gonna happen Dave. "

More on the topic wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:30 AM:

" Trout, Lawana. 1998. Native American Literature: An Anthology. National Textbook Company, Lincolnwood, Illinois. Pg. 45. I Am Not A Moscot, Philip J. Deloria. "Philip J. Deloria, a history professor at the University of Colorado, is an advocate for Indian rights. Born in 1959 into the prominent Sioux family, he parallels his father, Vine Deloria, Jr., in challenging insensitive images of Indians.” "

Black Elk Speaks pg 4. wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:17 AM:

" Hey hey hey hey!hey hey!hey hey! Grandfather, Great Spirit, you have been always, and before you no one has been. There is no other one to pray to but you. You yourself, everything that you see, everything has been make by you. The star nations all over the universe you have finished. The four quarters of the earth you have finished. The day, and in that day, everything you have finished. Grandfather, Great Spirit, lean close to the earth that you may hear the voice I send. You towards where the sun goes down, behold me; Thunder Beings, behold me! You where the White Giant lives in power, behold me! You where the sun shines continually, whence come the day-break star and the day, behold me! You where the summer lives, behold me! You in the depths of the heavens, an eagle of power, behold! And you, Mother Earth, the only Mother, you who have shown mercy to your children! Hear me, four quarters of the world � a relative I am! Give me strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds. Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather, all over the earth the faces of living things are all alike. With tenderness have these come up out of the ground. Look upon these faces of children without number and with children in their arms, that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the day of quiet. This is my prayer; hear me! The voice I have sent is weak, yet with earnestness I have sent it. Hear me! It is finished. Hetchetu aloh! Now, my friend, let us smoke together so that there may by only good between us. Black Elk "

Rick wrote on Nov 4, 2007 9:06 AM:

" As a Theodore Roosevelt scholar-in-residence, Jenkinson should as least know that the University of North Dakota doesn't have a mascot. They have a logo that was designed by an American Indian artist. "

John Stone wrote on Nov 4, 2007 7:32 AM:

" Bismark Tribune Reviewer: Please note I am resubmitting my comments as it was difficult to make out the image verification characters and I'm not sure if my earlier submission was successful. Please edit out this note or delete these comments as appropriate. Thank you. While Mr. Jenkinson's piece provides some thoughtful and important insights it appears to overlook some of the most critical concerns associated with the institutionalized use of "Indian" sports team tokens like UND's "Fighting Sioux." By appearing to hang his hat of the point that such uses are merely offensive, which is certainly one aspect of this complex, emotionally volatile issue, Mr. Jenkinson overlooked several of the other, more serious concerns associated with difficult topic. Empirical evidence has shown, for instance, that such ethnic icons raises the self-esteem of non-Native students while, at the same time, damages that of American Indian students. Moreover, such uses perpetuate simplistic ethnic stereotypes, objectify Native peoples, and can sometimes result in very degrading behaviors by fans on both sides of the playing field. Neither is the mass media known to be completely innocent in its use of clichéd phrases and headlines referring to things like "the warpath" and "tomahawking" a sporting opponent. Regrettably, as the author correctly concludes and regardless of the ultimate fate of UND's "Fighting Sioux" moniker, it is American Indian people who will continue to disproportionally suffer the consequences from this longstanding, devisive controversy. Thus the horrors and gross injustices of the past continue their legacy to this day. "

Proud North Dakotan wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:23 AM:

" You did it again Clay! Another good article; the silly “Fighting Sioux” argument has gone on far longer then it should have. Lets respect the wishes of our Native American brothers and sisters. "

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