Image via Wikipedia
Image via WikipediaIt appears that the Spirit Lake Sioux is going to sue the NCAA. s/t to the SayAnythingBlog.com. I have no idea where this is going to go, but do you see the irony in this? The NCAA has said that the Fighting Sioux nickname is hostile and abusive and is now going to be sued by the same people that they are supposed to be protecting. FORT TOTTEN, ND – Speaking at the tribal headquarters of the Spirit Lake Sioux Nation, attorney Reed Soderstrom announced a lawsuit against the NCAA alleging copyright infringement and civil rights violations. The Sioux tribe supports the University of North Dakota’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo, but the NCAA has deemed them to be “hostile and abusive.”The first charge we are going to hear from the Anti-Fighting Sioux nickname foes is that Englestad Arena is behind this action and financing it. I have yet to see any evidence to back this up to date.
“Today, the Spirit Lake Tribe of Indians, by and through its Committee of Understanding and Respect, and Archie Fool Bear, individually, and as Representative of more than 1004 Petitioners of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association in direct response to their attempt to take away and prevent the North Dakota Sioux Indians from giving their name forever to the University of North Dakota,” said Soderstrom in prepared remarks.
Soderstrom alleges that the NCAA has violated “the religious and first amendment rights of the Dakota Sioux tribes.” He also alleged a double standard in the application of the NCAA’s policy against the use of Native American names and imagery.
20111101 Lawsuit Fact Sheet Final
