Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Denigrating them to 'mascot' status

Denigrating them to 'mascot' status

Dec 01, 2007 - 04:05:24 CST

By HAROLD LARSON
Fort Yates

I am writing this letter not as the superintendent of schools at Standing Rock but as an alumnus of the University of North Dakota. As a former graduate assistant and student at UND, I feel I have earned the right to comment on the continuing conflict over "the Fighting Sioux" name.

I have listened to the debate on talk radio over the past few weeks, and I am ashamed and embarrassed by the blatantly racist comments, the ignorance and the lack of sensitivity as to why that name is objectionable. I heard comments such as "why should a bunch of Indians" have control of the Sioux name? A bunch of Indians? Pardon me, but this "bunch of Indians" of the Standing Rock Nation have given their blood and lives in disproportionate numbers to serve in the armed services in every major war the United States has fought. It was the Standing Rock Vietnam veterans who were selected by the Department of Defense and President Reagan to lead the procession to dedicate the- Vietnam memorial 25 years ago.

And yet the University of North Dakota, the state of North Dakota and its attorney general relegate these brave warriors to "mascot" status and continue to denigrate their contributions and their name. It is past time that our university give it up and recognize the need to honor these people who are the first citizens of this state.

It would be far better for the Legislature and state leadership to make a commitment to educate all citizens of North Dakota so that each of us might develop an understanding of the history and culture of the tribes of North Dakota. Why is it that our K-12 school students are not required to take Native American studies and why are Dakota/Lakota language courses not taught in our schools?

Let us focus on dealing with the stereotyping, the racism and misunderstanding that surround us every day and has reared its ugly head around the debate over a nickname. I say shame on us for what we do to a proud people and sovereign nation.

News > Opinion

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Comments

mako4071 wrote on Feb 7, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Grand forks is on Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation land. Land we still didn't get paid for. 52 million acres of land was stolen. Belcourt is the second oldest town in North Dakota after Pembina and we still aren't even chartered as a town. It's only been since the sixties that we had electricity and the seventies since we had running water. We can expect little help and the help we do receive-we will be ridiculed for. But that’s ok. We will survive ridicule, because we have survived: murder, theft, banned religions, forced relocation, starvation, and imprisonment on small tracks of land. The following didn’t occur thousands or hundreds of years ago people-this happened decades ago. So you go ahead and ridicule the Great Sioux Nation – they will survive. To all my Sioux brothers and sisters: Congratulations, I think your battle is nearly over. It sounds like the logo will change. My only wish is that UND would adopt a Northern European Mascot that I could ridicule in jest. "

JASON wrote on Dec 8, 2007 8:11 PM:

" Its a sad, sad, situation for both sides of the arguement. Each side thinks they are right and know more than the other. The fact of the matter is all of you have let your judgement skills become clouded by greed and ignorance. Both are right in their own way, and wrong but refuse to find a common middle ground. Very sad!!! "

S.R. enrollee wrote on Dec 8, 2007 5:17 PM:

" sour grapes "

Educated Rez'r wrote on Dec 8, 2007 1:36 PM:

" Ron His Horses Thunder is not a true leader,,,, what do you call ignoring your people's opinions, attempting to sign away soverinity,, "Rule 23", or do you not keep up with tribal issues. He does this, then turns around and says,,, it wasn't me, I didn't know anything about it, but his signature is on it... wow, what a true leader. "

one step forward, 6 steps back wrote on Dec 8, 2007 12:22 PM:

" Let's get rid of all the mascot names that might be offensive to someone. Vikings included since i'm part Native American and Scandinavian. By the time we make everyone happy, we'll be down to using numbers, but not the number 4 because that number is lucky for me and it would be traumatic to me if someone insulted that number. I wonder if the so-called "leaders" realize how long it's going to take for race relations to improve after this. "

Lost wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:32 AM:

" Dwelling on history makes for a cloudy future. Remembering and learning from history makes a clear future. "

S. R. enrollee wrote on Dec 8, 2007 9:00 AM:

" Ron His Horse is Thunder is also a true leader. have some respect. "

Lakota02 wrote on Dec 7, 2007 11:08 PM:

" What an awesome article!! Well done Mr. Larson!! "

Educated Rez'r wrote on Dec 7, 2007 3:52 PM:

" I agree with you fully,,,, it's too bad these leaders forsight can't see past this immediate insignificant victory, Aljoe Agard was a true leader, his choice to support logo is being tossed aside like garbage, shows the respect these individuals have for our former leaders. The 7th generation is amongst us, I think it's time for the awakening. "

To Educated Rez'r: wrote on Dec 7, 2007 3:21 PM:

" I doubt you will find that Mr. Larson would take offense to the use of the Viking image. This whole issues boils down to a handful of people who take offense to everything. The tribal leadership has decided that they know what is best for the Native American people in ND. It is shameful to me just how poorly our venerated "Sioux" tribes pale in comparison to other tribes on this issue such as the Seminoles and the Utes. I hope the next generation of leadership will be able to move beyond real or perceived slights from 15 to 30 years ago to lead the tribe forward to deal with the real issues that have been ignored during this debate. But, alas I may be too hopeful. "

Educated Rez'r wrote on Dec 7, 2007 1:46 PM:

" Larson is a Norweigan name,,,, So Harold, have the Minnesota Viking denigrated you to mascott as well???? "

UNDalum wrote on Dec 6, 2007 10:35 PM:

" Why would The University of North Dakota choose to have something represent us that we don't honor? As a student at UND, I feel the acheivement of our school, both in an academic and athletic spectrum, is being overshaddowed by the rediculous argument. If this doesn't stop soon, our school will no longer be known for the outstanding research facilities and national ranked academic areas, but only as a school divided our logo. "

to soldier wrote on Dec 6, 2007 4:05 PM:

" what kind of government check for being a minority are you talking about? are you referring to a welfare check? if so not only minorities get those HELLO! "

Soldier wrote on Dec 6, 2007 2:36 PM:

" Lets solve all the problems right away. The same standards for everyone. No exceptions. No more equal opportunity. Remove all reference to race, color religion from everything. If you want to get a good job and are a minority, then you just have to work hard for it like everybody else. no more applications with race on it, no more government checks because you are a minority. Just my personal opinion. "

Tommy wrote on Dec 6, 2007 2:23 PM:

" The UND mascot is a thing of honor. I wish somebody would enshrine my family in "Macot" status.. The fighting Johnsons sounds pretty good to me. "

Nativemomma wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:30 AM:

" I applaud Larson!! Great article! "

whoknowswhocares wrote on Dec 6, 2007 9:14 AM:

" All this because one young man dared to speak up and voice his opinion. How about this. If it is racist for one to use it, it is racist for any to use it. I believe one of the originals words in the article was " contradictions." Pointing out the fact that there are many contradictions in how this is looked at. You know, "Do as I say, not as I do." Enough said. Have a great day. "

frybreadgurl wrote on Dec 6, 2007 7:56 AM:

" Lala, what do mean this has set back "race relations" back 20-30 years? It has never improved. In order for it to move forward, our white leaders should retire the name and logo as a gesture towards repairing their relationship with all the Indian Nations in ND. I am proud to be Lakota and stand beside our elected Indian leaders. Soon the whites in this state will be the minority in our ever evolving melting pot. They will need to worry about who their daughters and sons are marrying, who will be taking jobs away from them and less about UND's greatest legacy to our Indian ancestors. "

lj wrote on Dec 5, 2007 6:32 PM:

" Perhaps ALL referances to Indian names should be removed. That would require many of our states and cities be renamed. Lakes, rivers, etc. How about North Saxony instead of North Dakota, or will the Germans revolt? "

Pronative wrote on Dec 5, 2007 4:26 PM:

" Why can't the mascot supporters realize that Native Americans don't consider mainstream honor as honorable for that mainstream society has no honor. They gave up their honor and culture when their European ancestors invaded this country. The only honor that Native Americans recognize is from the sacred circle during our dances and ceremonies. Mascots and nicknames don't exist in Native American culture. Mainstream society has no culture and now they want to steal Native American culture and make it theirs and add on all the mascot garbage and say it's Native American culture. But if the simpletons want to honor the Sioux for fighting against their Imperialistic European ancestors and the US Government, so be it! Whether you like it or not, this is a political issue. "

to Deb wrote on Dec 5, 2007 3:08 PM:

" Thank you. At least there is a one indiviual out there with itelligence to make a HUMAN being decision. You are the exception to the rule of North Dakota.....YOu make me smile and happy to live in this day and age!!! ------------ Also YESS!!!! to all the people upset about this issue....WE SHOULD change our teams and logo's here at home also, right along with UND.....we should have a say so and utilize our beautiful Lakota and Dakota language & our beautiful culturally rich heritige...we could be the "zuya", the "oyate", the "pabaksa"...anything really, I think its an awesome suggestion. One I hope the authorities on SR listen to. "

Online Editor wrote on Dec 5, 2007 12:49 PM:

" To C3PO: Thanks for the input, I do agree that there are a handful of original thoughts that are being posted over and over. "

don't own it wrote on Dec 5, 2007 12:31 PM:

" I'm sorry, but these people don't own the words so how can they force someone to stop using them. Last time I checked 'brave' is a word in the dictionary & no one owns it. Same with warriors or whatever. They don't have the right to claim that no one can use those words. "

C3PO wrote on Dec 5, 2007 11:15 AM:

" Online Editor: Please remove this article before it goes into overdrive. All you have to do whenever there is an article on UND - copy and paste all of the comments from the previous article because that's all it is. Repeating, repeating, repeating. Someone said this, so I have to say this because... I went to UND, I grew up in ND, I lived on the res, I have relatives on the res, my family graduated from UND, I played ball at UND, I feel sorry for these people, etc., etc. That's my comment. "

do away with all the Native American mascots in ND wrote on Dec 5, 2007 10:48 AM:

" If the UND mascot has got to go, then all the rest in ND should go to. EVEN the mascots for the Native American communities schools! No Mandan Braves, No Standing Rock Braves or whatever Native American name they have......ALL SHOULD HAVE TO GO. If it offensive at the college level why is it not offensive at the High School level? If we are going to get rid of what is offensive to the Native American people then do it right and have them ALL change their mascots! "

Conservative wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:52 AM:

" MR. White Wolf: Using the name fighting whities was tried already. If you recall a story out of Colorado, and intramural team at a local college used the name to raise awareness to offensive team names, but to their surprise, white people were not offended and the story just went away. As far as equating the N-word to using the Sioux logo, that is obserd. "

To excuse me? wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:37 AM:

" I grew up a Standing Rock Warrior and am also an alumni of UND. I agree with you, we should change our name, utilize our own beautiful language and share our beautiful culturally rich heritge. We can be "Inyan Woslal Oyate".... awesome idea!! "

Educated Rez'r wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:28 AM:

" Larson,,, I know your affiliation with the anti-logo crowd,, what you looking for, some job security...... Don't pretend your speaking for Native people,, you aren't even from SR,,, don't assume you're doing any good. This article is just more pity me mumble jumble...... "

Bull wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:26 AM:

" All the talk of UND honoring the North Dakota Native Americans is bull. I have said this before on another blog, but whatever peoples' view is now, the name was not chosen to honor them. It was chosen to bring up imagery of a savage, aggressive, strong sports team. I grew up in North Dakota, but I am surprised and saddened by the number of people who support UND talking in such racist and bigoted terms. I have heard even my most educated-doctorate level- friends make such comments. Shame on all of them. "

sillyRabbit wrote on Dec 5, 2007 7:59 AM:

" Larson we already know you want to maintain the status quo for job security, and your statement comes not after listening to the radio talk show, but listening to a blow hard who you have to answer to, or don’t you think we already know. Your school board president/member is the older brother to one of the whiners in the media last week. I’m sure you’re going to do something to smell like a rose in front of the School board. If you went to UND you won’t find a mascot. At least I didn’t, and as far as I know anyone else who attends UND hasn’t seen a mascot. One other thing, don’t go too far on condemning any one entity or institution. You sit at the helm of what could be the lead school to take your nickname down. I think that’s what the majority is saying, if UND’s name is anti-Indian, abusive, and causes hostility. Then in the same color of light, isn’t the Standing Rock Warriors, Solen Sioux(Home of the Fighting Sioux), Belcourt Braves, Mandan Braves, which make reference to Indians going to have the same effect. We grew up here on the Rock, our opinion, which the Tribal Council doesn’t want us to have, because it will cause all the anti Indian, anti und people to lose face when the final vote is tallied. Our tribe chose to make the agreement and now our tribe, the people, need to have our vote. The 8 who voted don’t represent the choice of the fifteen thousand (15,000) enrolled members, only their vote on a directed opinion by ONE who has taken a stance against UND. Our Tribal government has only displayed total disrespect for those who made the agreement with UND. "

Leonard wrote on Dec 5, 2007 7:31 AM:

" I take more offense with the name "Midgets" that Dickinson continues to carry as their team name and mascot. The Fighting Sioux is at least an honorable name given much respect by UND students and alumni. This name business doesn't start or end with the tribes. There are much more offensive names being used out there that amount to simple bad taste. "

sillyRabbit wrote on Dec 5, 2007 6:41 AM:

" A mascot -- originally a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck -- now includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit. "

abc wrote on Dec 5, 2007 6:00 AM:

" Mr. Larson spares no adjective in attempting to wrap himself up in "victimhood" status. "

laura wrote on Dec 4, 2007 3:19 PM:

" Whoever said life is not fair is absolutely correct. This is why affirmative action will never be eradicated. Whites have been enjoying affirmative action since the beginning of this nation's inception! It is absolutely fair to have scholarships, acceptances into colleges, etc., it has always been afforded to whites. It is time to balance the playing field although this will never really happen. You white people need to get over it already. "

White Wolf wrote on Dec 4, 2007 12:24 PM:

" Would you support a team called the "Fighting White" or the "Niggers"? Answer that, then say Indian mascots aren't offensive! "

opinion is me wrote on Dec 1, 2007 7:36 PM:

" I can't help but wonder, the natives like to refer to themselves as Dakota or Lakota, because Sioux is a French word for snake in the grass. They claim to find this offensive, however it seems to be most offensive when white people say the word. If these Natives are not Sioux and the name Sioux is offensive, then why do they claim to have exclusive rights to a word which is not them or theirs? "

freemarketradical wrote on Dec 1, 2007 7:13 PM:

" As far as the "Sioux Suck" t shirts that NDSU fans wear I have to question if it is UND and its logo that are insensative and racist. Perhaps in is really NDSU that should be excluded from NCAA events. Why aren't the people like Mr. Larson that think UNDs logo is hostile and abusive condeming that NDSU fan behavior? "

Just a thought wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:45 PM:

" This is the first time I've commented on this issue...mostly because the world as we know it will not be changed whether the nickname stays or goes. There will still be pride in the school, there will still be pride in the Indian nations, there will still be racism in the world and there will still be poverty, crime and drug abuse on and off the reservation. So, as I see the situation, the name will be gone, the university will still go on. The Indian nation will win a victory that is really void of any substantive value and life will go on. So to the nickname supporters....get a life and find something that is really meaningful to direct your energies towards and to the supporters of changing the nickname....get a life and direct your energies towards some meaningful changes on and off the reservations. "

Jim wrote on Dec 1, 2007 5:31 PM:

" Does anyone have the percentages of American Indians who join the military vs other ethnicities? Just curious because for some reason service records seems to be popping up a lot in these articles and conversations. I am not really getting the connection with the name/logo issue. Sorry folks, but for anyone calling the it a mascot I suggest you figure out what a mascot actually is. "

To Deb wrote on Dec 1, 2007 5:16 PM:

" Allowing anti native-american, anti-american, or anti-anyone sentiments at sporting events, or any events is all part of living in a free country. US of A gotta love it. "

bono wrote on Dec 1, 2007 4:29 PM:

" I agree 100% with JoeBoy. Let's get rid of affirmative action - it's very discriminatory to white people. All you hear is how the minorities are discriminated against - well the tables are reversed a lot of the time. It doesn't matter what special treatment minorities are given -they will complain and use the race card forever. It's very sad. It's time for people to help themselves instead of thinking they are owed everything. "

Deb wrote on Dec 1, 2007 1:00 PM:

" There was an interesting caller into a talk radio show earlier this week. He addressed the issue that logo-supporters bring up, which is that schools on the reservation have names like "Warriors" and "Braves" etc etc. He said that they have these logos and names but that they are truly honoring their heritage because they don't let people into their school gyms or even on the reservation who dress up with fake eagle feathers or painted faces & they don't allow people to have anti-native american slogans (i.e. "Sioux Suck" t-shirts that NDSU kids wear). And I gotta say - that was enough for me. A Native American, on the reservation, bringing to light the blatant lie that UND is trying to force feed everyone- that they are "honoring" the native peoples, while on the other side blatantly allowing anti-native america sentiments at their sporting events. "

My Point wrote on Dec 1, 2007 12:06 PM:

" SE Forty, I think you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting the change. Can't people have an opinion without being labeled "racist"? I read plenty of comments on these blogs from Natives who support the nickname. Should they be even more ashamed of themselves? Goodness! I agree wholeheartedly with the comments about Standing Rock H.S. If changing the UND nickname is good for the goose, it should be good for the gander. If this issue is such a big deal to the Native Americans, they, and the supporters of "non-offensive nicknames" should be first in line to change the nicknames/mascots of reservation schools. One arguement is that "it's our school, it is a nickname after us". Well there are white kids who attend those schools, isn't there? AND, the best argument in my opinion is that using a mascot or nickname is derogetory toward the people (Fighting Sioux, Fighting Irish, etc.), then wouldn't simply using a nickname from ANY ethnic name by ANY school also be derogetory and offensive? Doesn't make sense to me. "

JoeBoy wrote on Dec 1, 2007 11:18 AM:

" It is time for the state of North Dakota to end all Affrimative Actions programs at our colleges and universities too. Certain "people" should not have a "special status" to get into progams of study and receive "special scholarships" over any other people in our state. "

SE Forty wrote on Dec 1, 2007 11:14 AM:

" Excellent article. The so called supporters of the nickname should be ashamed of themselves for some of the comments they have made, but they won't because of the certain mentallity in this region. Makes a person wonder why young American Indians go and fight and die for this country. "

lala wrote on Dec 1, 2007 11:02 AM:

" What is unfortunate about this whole thing is the fact that it has sent race relations back 20-30 years. If the UND logo is changed, it's going to have negative repurcussion on the Native students who are at UND and the general population as well. I wish and pray this won't happen but, unfortunately, it will. The tribal leaders who are so adament about changing it are actually going to be hurting us, their people, more than if they would have simply acknowledged the wishes of the majority and left it alone. "

Halatbis wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:50 AM:

" I agree with Larson that it is time for this logo/mascot business to be over. Sad to say but the losers in all of this will be UND and the Indian population of ND. The University will lose the hockey arena--it will become a white elephant--and worse, they may find a lawsuit for damages if the arena is no longer used as intended. The Indian community will lose good will and respect in the main population. To say this is small minded and racist does not make a particle of difference. When a group of people set themselves apart, by choice, from the main population they are fostering ill-feelings. Mr. Larson, as an educator, has seen this in his career as a professional, yet he says education is the answer. I guess I would say this is a two way street. "

excuse me? wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:10 AM:

" But isn't your own school relegating them to 'mascot status' as you put it by using the name Standing Rock Warriors? Seems like a double standard to me. "

Iconoclast wrote on Dec 1, 2007 7:40 AM:

" Thank you Mr. Larson for the remarkably powerful sentiments and insights contained in this concise piece. In my view, it would hard to express the core of the UND ethnic sports token issue better than has been achieved here. Outstanding! "

Dave wrote on Dec 1, 2007 7:34 AM:

" Well, Mr. Larson, why don't you lead the charge in changing the Warrior nickname? Surely that nickname is also hostile and abusive. PS. UND does not have a mascot. "

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