University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella said there are groups that have devoted their lives to opposing UND's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo, but most people don't have a strong opinion about it.

"The fact is most Caucasians, most American Indians, don't have much time for this issue at all,"Kupchella said. "They don't think it's really important when you look at things like unemployment, the need for economic development, health care needs, education, methamphetamines - all the big issues of the day - this one pales and shrinks almost to nothing in comparison."

Kupchella's remarks came Thursday in front of several tribal members and leaders at the United Tribes Intertribal Summit meeting in Bismarck.

On Wednesday, the meeting featured a panel discussion comprised of speakers who were all against the use of the nickname and logo.

Kupchella said he would have liked to have been at the panel discussion, but he couldn't attend because he was hosting primatologist Jane Goodall at UND.

The issue recently surfaced because the NCAA has ordered universities that use hostile or abusive American Indian logos or mascots to cover them up during NCAA championships. Eighteen colleges and universities continue to use American Indian imagery or references and are subject to the new policy. Two universities were exempted from the policy.

UNDalso is asking for an exemption.

Kupchella has said UNDuses the logo respectfully and takes reports about people abusing the nickname seriously.

Tex Hall, chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes, said Kupchella and the Board of Higher Education should have had formal consultations with the tribes before asking the NCAAfor an exemption.

"My thought is they're (NCAA) not going to listen unless you talk to the tribes,"Hall said.

Hall said the tribes were involved in discussions about the logo in 1999, but all deals were off after Ralph Engelstad threatened to pull funding from the multimillion-dollar Engelstad Arena if the nickname and logo was changed. The Board of Higher Education voted against changing the nickname and logo in 1999.

Hall also said the Board of Higher Education could end up trying to convince the courts that the logo doesn't offend American Indians.

Kupchella's comments about the logo came after he told tribal members that UND's goal is to be the leading university for American Indians.

Kupchella said about $12 million is spent annually on programs and initiatives that benefit American Indians at UND. Some of the initiatives include a full-time person to recruit American Indian students nationwide, and a program that encourages middle-school students to become doctors and other professionals. UNDalso spends about $500,000 a year in tuition waivers for American Indians.

"This is not an inconsiderable investment in Native American students,"he said.

Kupchella was asked if the university would maintain as strong of programs for American Indians if the nickname and logo were changed, and he said it would.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@;bismarcktribune.com.)