The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will continue to be known as Sioux, following a special election on the reservation.

Voters rejected a proposal to change the tribe's name from Sioux to "Oyate," a word that means "people or nation."

The name change was adopted in 2002 by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribes in South Dakota.

In the same election, voters approved a new definition of tribal membership.

Until now, members had to have a one-quarter blood relationship to parent or grandparent who was an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Now, enrolled members born after 1957 can have a one-quarter blood relationship to the Oceti Sakowin from any federally recognized tribe. The words "Oceti Sakowin," describe people of the "Seven Council Fires of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota." In addition, their parents and grandparents must be enrolled members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

This allows offspring of tribal members who intermarry with other related tribes to maintain their Standing Rock membership.

Voter turnout was low for the special election June 11, which election officer Dellis Agard said may have been because it was held the day after the statewide primary election, when people had just voted.

The blood quantum change was approved 381 votes to 180.

The name change to Oyate was turned down by a vote of 337 against, to 225 in favor.

The Sioux name continues to be in the news because of some question whether the University of North Dakota should continue to use the "Fighting Sioux" nickname for its athletic teams.

The issue is hotly debated on the reservation and around the state and the university is working to come to agreement with the tribe on whether UND can stick with the name, or change to one that doesn't reflect an ethnic group.

In May, the Standing Rock Sioux tribal council approved a moratorium on putting the Sioux UND logo up for a reservation-wide referendum.