Will Newly Elected Chair Really Make A Difference

That is a very good question. I does appear that there is still a long way to go before UND can secure permission for use of the Fighting Sioux name. Jesse Taken Alive seems to think a vote is not going to happen. I guess time will tell. My only question is what are some in the Standing Rock leadership afraid of? Are they afraid that the members of the Standing Rock Tribe would approve UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux name by an impressive majority like the Spirit Lake Tribe did?

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe voted in a new chairman in Charlie Murphy yesterday. But what does this really mean for the nickname issue. The previous chair was against it .


Yesterday's election brought a new chairman in Charlie Murphy to the Standing Rock Reservation. More than half a dozen new council members will join him. Some existing tribal council members say new people could mean a new outlook on UND's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Jesse Mclaughlin: "They'll be the key there, what their stance is will be some might have a problem some might not."

Even if Murphy supports a tribe-wide vote, two-thirds of the Standing Rock tribal council's 15 representatives have to support it too. And any possible tribe-wide vote at Standing Rock could take a minimum of 2 months to secure. Standing Rock tribal council member Jesse Taken Alive says he doesn't think the council will allow a vote. He says a moratorium banning a referendum vote was passed last year. A two-thirds vote to rescind the moratorium would be needed as well. But others on the council say with seven new members it could change.

Margaret Gates: "At least its being brought up in a good manner instead of just we oppose it. Instead its being brought up as should it be put on the agenda."

Jesse Mclaughlin: "I've been on the council for two terms and my stance is if its that big a deal then let the people vote."

Mclaughlin says he feels past discussions excluded nickname supporters. Something they say Murphy won't do. Jesse Mclaughlin: "I know a couple of them and they don't seem to have problem with it but tribal politics can be crazy."

Margaret Gates: "Its being brought forth with open minds to hear it."

But Taken Alive maintains that a vote is unlikely. He says the council, which is usually 16 members strong, lost a possible vote for the nickname when Murphy gave up his at-large council seat to run for tribal chair. His at-large seat was not filled this election cycle, leaving the council one voting member short. As tribal chair Murphy can only vote to break a tie. Council members say either way the issue needs to be resolved they have more important issues to focus on [WDAZ.COM]