Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Board won't discuss dispute soon

Board won't discuss dispute soon

Dec 05, 2007 - 05:38:11 CST

By DALE WETZEL/Associated Press Writer

The president of North Dakota's Board of Higher Education says he plans to have discussions with tribal leaders about their opposition to the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux sports nickname.

John Q. Paulsen said the talks would precede any formal discussions by the full board, which has eight voting members, about whether to begin the process of shedding the nickname.

Paulsen said he has directed William Goetz, the chancellor of the state university system, to speak to Sioux tribal leaders about their opinions on the nickname. He and Goetz expect to meet tribal leaders personally, Paulsen said.

"We have not had an opportunity, either one of us, to talk directly with the tribal leaders. I think that's the first thing that needs to happen," Paulsen said. "That should happen before we have any report to the board, or any discussion by the board."

Paulsen and Goetz said no meetings had been scheduled, and they said there was no timetable for holding them. Goetz said Tuesday he believed initial meetings would be held with the chairmen of the affected tribes.

The NCAA considers the nickname abusive and hostile. UND sued the NCAA to challenge a process the association used to impose penalties against UND for its continued use of the name and an American Indian head logo.

The Board of Higher Education agreed Oct. 26 to settle the lawsuit. The settlement terms say the logo and Fighting Sioux nickname must be retired within three years unless North Dakota's Sioux tribes give their permission to continue using them.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribal council has approved a resolution reaffirming its opposition to the nickname. At a UND forum last month, the Standing Rock tribal chairman, Ron His Horse Is Thunder, and David Gipp, president of United Tribes Technical College, of Bismarck, were among a group of tribal members who urged the board to take immediate steps to dump the nickname.

Paulsen was not able to attend the forum, and he said he and Goetz wanted to hear tribal leaders' opinions firsthand before initiating a board discussion of the nickname issue.

The board held a joint meeting Tuesday at the state Capitol with an interim legislative committee on higher education. It will meet Wednesday in Dickinson to hire a new president for Dickinson State University. Board members are scheduled to interview two finalists.

Rep. Ken Svedjan, R-Grand Forks, the chairman of the interim Higher Education Committee, said the handling of the nickname issue should be left to the board.

"It's in their hands now," Svedjan said Tuesday. "If I were a board member, I'd say, 'Let's deal with it, let's get it off the table, let's get it over with.' ... I think the name is history. As soon as I read the settlement, I believed it was over."

Paulsen said he did not expect the board to discuss the nickname issue soon.

"We're engaged, the chancellor and I, in trying to pursue (discussions with tribal leaders)," Paulsen said. "Until we do that, I don't think that there's anything to be gained by trying to discuss the matter as a full board."

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Comments

Pronative wrote on Dec 6, 2007 7:14 PM:

" John Q. Paulsen and William Goetz wont even get into the front door. The tribes are not obligated or should even discuss the subject any further. It is over and the Sioux have won. It would be entertaining though to see the pro-mascot people get on their hands and knees and beg for the tribes' permission to use the imagery. "

snowy wrote on Dec 5, 2007 1:07 PM:

" you are not Indians, why would you want to use their name. Why not use the name Knights in some way. think of all the different logos you could use. The entire reservation system should be discontinued. They are citizens of the United States, they should be treated as such. DO IT. "

Going Going Gone wrote on Dec 5, 2007 12:42 PM:

" I am glad that they will hold onto what they believe. Money shouldn't be able to change their minds or ways. That is what is right and it should have been gone LONG ago. I believe that there are about four or five "Sioux" comment sites up and running right now with the Tribune Online. The feelings are strong on all sides and out of respect for the State of ND, GET RID OF THE NAME!!!! It just breds hate and makes us look dumb that we are wasting our time on a tribe name that isn't even a real tribe. The name is a terrible thing that has last WAY to long!!!! "

Sage wrote on Dec 5, 2007 7:41 AM:

" I can already tell you the result of the meeting. They will find that Ron His Horse is Thunder will be steadfast in his opposition to the use of the Sioux name. They will find that nothing, absolutely nothing, will change his mind. They will find him to be very obstinate and close-minded. And, in time, they will realize they are wasting their time and money. "

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