Showing posts with label Jack Dalrymple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jack Dalrymple. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Stupid is as stupid does

North Dakota State Bison athletic logoImage via WikipediaIf you haven't see this article, it's worth a read. In the old days when the Sioux and the Bison played in football there used to be a lot of vitriol in the stands and at tail gates for football, Ironically, in their finest hour after watching their team win the FCS championship in football some dolt of the fans  in the crowd just had to say "Sioux Sucks"... Wow!!! Stupid is as stupid does, right?
Kevin Schnepf, Forum Communications ---- Flash forward 22 years in Frisco, Texas — where NDSU won its first national championship since its 1990 trip to Florence. As the Bison team marched toward its locker room before the game, the three-block long line of fans chanted “Here We Go Bison, Here We Go.” In between the cheers, one fan yelled “Sioux suck.”

Really? Your team is about to play for a national title and that’s all you can think of? Never mind that your team hasn’t played the Sioux (I mean North Dakota) since 2003.

Later that same day when fans gathered in front of the Fargodome to welcome home their team, Gov. Jack Dalrymple started the same cheer “Here We Go Bison, Here We Go.” Little did the Governor realize that the chant must mysteriously spark a certain impulse to be insulting.

As if on cue, a small group of supporters started yelling “Sioux suck.”

Really? Your team just won its first Division I championship and that’s all you can think of. Never mind that your football team may not be playing the Sioux (I mean, North Dakota) for at least another decade.
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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Harvey Uken Letter to the editor

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via WikipediaIf you haven't read Harvey Uken's letter to the editor, it's worth a look... Harvey makes some good points and before you attack him for his point of view, Harvey is native American.
Other athletic conferences were “oh so pleased” when UND wanted to join. But when the NCAA talked sanctions, those conferences got scared and ran away. I admit that I don’t understand how the money flows or why so many are so frightened of one group; but, I do know that being held hostage is not right.

Maybe it is time to recognize that the NCAA has too much power. Maybe we’ve lost sight of the sport for the love of money, power and prestige.

As a Yankton Sioux who grew up on the Rosebud and Standing Rock reservations, I’ve been puzzled about how the present-day leaders can turn their backs on the grandfathers’ covenant to UND. The Fighting Sioux name was given a blessing by the Elders, something I was taught not to take lightly.

In this politically correct world, let’s not lose sight of what’s going on here: the diminishing of the Indian, as in “out of sight, out of mind.”

I was raised to be proud of my Sioux heritage. My grandfathers are Baptiste Lambert, Struck the Ree, Rain In The Face, Wabasha and Burnt Thigh, among others. They were strong men and proud warriors, men who stood unwavering by what they believed.

But now, once again, the dominant culture is saying the Sioux name and logo are bad. Being Sioux is not bad. The logo shows a proud, focused warrior. What is there to be ashamed of?

I have yet to be convinced that the FIghting Sioux name and logo are harmful in any way. And at every game, the name of my people is shouted in the spirit of pride of belonging to something good. How great is that?
Harvey Uken

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Fighting Sioux logo links...

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via Wikipedia There has been a lot of breaking news today on the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the transition that lies ahead. I am going to try and keep up with the news as it breaks as best as I can. The first story that caught my eye was this one about current Fighting Sioux logo designer Bennett Brien as he weighted in on the Fighting Sioux logo today.
“It’s not a logo,” he said. “It’s a symbol.”

And the symbolism of the Native American man depicted in his design has been misunderstood, he said.

“His gaze is really focused and determined. You need that in life, no matter who you are, when you’re searching for truth,” Brien said.

“The feathers stand for the brave and honorable things you do in life, whether you are a Sioux warrior from before or a student today trying to get an education or anyone making a sacrifice to do good.”(Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald)
It would appear that the Grand Forks members of the North Dakota legislature are ready to vote in favor to change the Fighting Sioux nickname law.
After a state delegation failed this month to negotiate a change in the NCAA’s posture concerning the nickname, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said he will ask the Legislature to repeal or amend the new law and turn authority over the issue to the State Board of Higher Education.

This time, the Grand Forks delegation appears likely to be unanimous. (Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald)
North Dakota House Member, Mike Schatz from district 36 (New England, N.D.), wrote a letter to the editor explaining why he won't vote for the Nickname Repeal Law. Representative Schatz made an interesting point on the Fighting Sioux logo and asks the question, who is going to pay for UND to change the Fighting Sioux logo?
It has been estimated that the cost of changing the logo could be $20 million. Who is going to pay that sum? The Board of Higher Education does not have that authority without legislative approval nor does UND. Is the NCAA going to donate back its profits from the sale of Sioux merchandise to cover the expense? Are we going to allow ourselves to be blackmailed into doing something that 80 percent of the people don’t want to do?
Scott Hennen had Jody Hodgson the General Manager of the REA on his radio show today and they talked about the future of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Jody Hodgson is in favor of no nickname and UND just being "North Dakota" for the time being. [Click to listen to the segment]
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Friday, August 19, 2011

Representative Al Carlson will not sponsor reversal of nickname decision

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via WikipediaThis is breaking news on the Fighting Sioux nickname... Carlson won't introduce legislation that would repeal his law that required the University of North Dakota to be called the Fighting Sioux, on the other hand Carlson will not obstruct anyone that decides to introduce legislation to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname either.

Fargo Forum --- When asked this week if he would introduce legislation to undo the law, Carlson said he wouldn’t.

“I’m principled enough to know that I’m not going to do that,” said Carlson, who sponsored the controversial law that took effect this month.

However, Carlson said he also won’t discourage anyone else from submitting legislation to amend or repeal the law and said he would go along with what must be done.

“I’m not here to obstruct the process or to hurt UND,” he said. “We’re not going to damage the university.”
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Thursday, August 18, 2011

UND merchandise on NCAA site....

The University of North Dakota was put on the NCAA sanctions August 15th and the NCAA transitioned away from selling UND Fighting Sioux merchandise on it's webpage. It almost appears that the NCAA has stopped selling UND merchandise. Last night and this morning while doing a search of the NCAA site with North Dakota, UND and University of North Dakota the only thing that comes up is the God awful NDSU Bison merchandise.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Scott Hennen interview of Frank Black Cloud (Fighting Sioux related)

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaYesterday Scott Hennen interviewed Spirit Lake Tribal member Frank Black Cloud on the Fighting Sioux nickname and the UND delegation's trip to NCAA headquarters. If you haven't heard this interview it's worth a listen. [click to listen]
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Monday, August 15, 2011

So does UND need to select a new nickname?

As UND moves away from the Fighting Sioux nickname one of the first questions that is often asked,  "can UND just be "North Dakota or UND?" In my opinion that would be the best option instead of picking another nickname that will no way ever match the Fighting Sioux Nickname. It would appear from the settlement agreement that was signed by the Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem that UND is going to have to select a new nickname in the future or face possible NCAA sanctions.
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UND to resume planning process for retirement of nickname and logo

The North Dakota state seal.Image via WikipediaUND President Robert O. Kelley posted this on the UND Nickname/logo blog today and you can almost feel the glee and excitement in his voice as President Kelley wrote this blog post, but I digress, most of us knew this day would come but it doesn't soften the blow any easier either.
Dear Campus Community:

I want to bring you up to date on recent events related to the nickname and logo. But first let me a take a moment to welcome everyone to the start of a new academic year. I can feel the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in the air as many return to campus from being gone all summer. We also have the privilege of welcoming our new students and families in the upcoming Welcome Weekend. I encourage you to participate in these events so you can meet some of our new students. A special welcome to our new faculty, as well. We look forward to you joining our community.

As you may know, our university had been directed by the State Board of Higher Education to retire the nickname and logo of our athletic programs by August 15, 2011. The transition was proceeding when the state legislature passed a bill requiring UND to retain the name and logo. After the Governor signed that bill into law, the State Board directed me to suspend any further activities associated with its retirement.

Following a meeting last Friday between North Dakota officials and the leadership of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the State Board of Higher Education held a teleconference meeting today and instructed me to resume the process of planning the retirement of the nickname and logo nickname consistent with prior Board action. The State Board of Higher Education extended the deadline to complete that process through December 2011. I will resume the planning process, mindful of the state law which, as of Aug. 1, directs the University of North Dakota to continue to use our nickname and logo. Gov. Jack Dalrymple has indicated that he will urge the North Dakota Legislature to readdress that law in the special session of the North Dakota Legislature planned for November.

The controversy surrounding the name and logo cannot be permitted to deter us from our core missions of teaching and learning, research, and service. We begin the 2011-2012 academic year as strong as our university has ever been. Our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, supported by our committed alumni and friends, will sustain the momentum that has been generated in recent months around the Exceptional UND initiatives that can establish our position as a world-class institution of higher education.
[Read the rest of the blog post]
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The NCAA a bunch of hypocrites?

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaS/T to Rob Port and his sayanythingblog.com Now that the NCAA has told UND that they can't use their UND Fighting Sioux logo, why is the NCAA still selling merchandise that bears the Fighting logo, this is the same historic logo that the NCAA says is hostile and abusive. Wouldn't that make them a bunch of hypocrites? Kind of sounds like a do as I say not as I do mentality.

I am not making this up, I am serious, all you have to do is go to the NCAA site and you can buy UND Fighting Sioux merchandise on line. I would urge UND fans to buy shirts, hats and merchandise at the REA Sioux shop and boycott the NCAA site. I believe that the University of North Dakota should sue the NCAA for befitting from the use of their logo that the NCAA claims is hostile and abusive.

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Friday, August 12, 2011

NCAA won't budge

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via Wikipedia
This just in from the associated press... I think most of us could have predicted this result.
NDIANAPOLIS - State legislators and University of North Dakota officials are preparing to change the school's Fighting Sioux nickname following a meeting at NCAA headquarters.

After spending more than an hour with NCAA President Mark Emmert on Friday in Indianapolis, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said the NCAA would not change the settlement agreement that goes into effect Monday. If the school doesn't change its nickname, or get permission to use the name Fighting Sioux from a second tribe, it will be banned from hosting postseason tournaments and using the nickname or logo at NCAA tournaments.

Dalrymple says he will introduce a bill Nov. 7 transferring authority of the nickname and logo back to the school. Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a law requiring the school to use its current nickname and logo.

Again, I am one of the biggest fans of the Fighting Sioux nickname but I seen no way that the Fighting Sioux nickname can survive, there is no way unless you want to watch UND play the University of Sioux Falls on a regular basis. The University of North Dakota cannot jeopardize their membership in the Big Sky Conference. Without a conference, UND’s athletic department outside of hockey would suffer and die.



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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Al Carlson on the law suit...

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via Wikipedia
This article by ESPN is worth a read if you haven't seen it. As mentioned earlier, no one has a clue on who is paying for this law suit, it's hardly unlikely the students mention are paying for this lawsuit. It would be nice to have some transparency and know who is footing the bill on this lawsuit. I am sure that information will come out in the near future.
ESPN.COM --- Some state leaders and UND President Robert Kelley are scheduled to meet with NCAA executives Friday in Indianapolis. Republican House Majority Leader Al Carlson, of Fargo, questioned the timing of the lawsuit and said it represents a handful of people with out-of-state interests.

"You've got a New York attorney. It was nice of them to keep it local," Carlson said. "We understand why it was done. It's a small group. My job is to represent the majority of North Dakotans.

"I think there has been a lot of discussion already and tomorrow we are going to make the case why we think the Fighting Sioux nickname should be retained," he said of Friday's meeting.

Fredericks said the timing of the lawsuit is related to the fact that the settlement agreement dictated that the nickname be officially retired Monday, and not because of the meeting with NCAA officials.

"The meeting that is happening on Friday is because of the Monday deadline," she said.

The truth shall set you free…

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via Wikipedia
This little nugget was found on Dustin Monke's blog, the Sports Editor of The Dickinson Press, I asked the question earlier today; “who is paying for this lawsuit?” There is a bigger entity out there than eight former students driving this lawsuit. That is the question people should be asking is, who is driving this lawsuit, and why now?

I highly doubt that these eight students in question have the money to retain a high priced lawyer of Sanford Dumain's stature, and now we find out that they also have a P.R. firm as well, someone else is footing the bill.

Six UND Indian students file federal lawsuit over Fighting Sioux nickname

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaIn reading the newspaper articles I have gleaned that six students from the University of North Dakota of Native American decent that aren't Sioux (Nakota, Lakota, Dakota), have filed a law suit in Federal Court against Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state of North Dakota, the North Dakota state Board of Higher Education and the University of North Dakota.

The Students' attorney in question is Sanford Dumain of the New York law firm Milberg LLP. Like Rob Port the first question that I asked myself is; who is paying for this lawsuit? That's the bigger question that people should be asking. I highly doubt that these six students have the money to retain a lawyer of Sanford Dumain's stature, someone is footing the bill.

According the the Bismarck Tribune the Students are claiming that the new law to retain the Fighting Sioux nickname violates their 14th Amendment. Which will probably be hard to prove and it will be interesting to see if the group even has standing to sue. What are they going to claim that they are being deprived of life, liberty and or property?
The complaint alleges the legislation violates the state Constitution, because the Board of Higher Education is supposed to make such decisions rather than the Legislature, and violates a court-ordered settlement directing the name be changed which was reached by the NCAA, the state and the Board of Higher Education. The students also allege the new law violates their 14th Amendment rights in that the name and logo are harmful and disparaging to Native Americans.
Links to the paper work filed (Civil Cover Sheet) and (Complaint and Jury Trial Demand)


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UND Students file lawsuit over Fighting Sioux nickname

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via WikipediaThis is just in from WDAY/WDAZ... It would be interesting to see who is funding this lawsuit.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Six American Indian students at the University of North Dakota say they've filed a federal lawsuit over the school's Fighting Sioux nickname.

The complaint alleges that a new law requiring the school to keep the nickname violates the state constitution and reverses a court-ordered settlement between UND and the NCAA.

The suit names Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the state of North Dakota, the state Board of Higher Education and UND.
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Fighting Sioux nickname meeting with NCAA rescheduled for Aug. 12

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via Wikipedia
Here is the latest from the meeting between the NCAA and the UND delegation.

BISMARCK — A meeting between North Dakota and NCAA officials to discuss the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname has been rescheduled for Aug. 12.

It's being held in the association's headquarters in Indianapolis. It is set three days before the NCAA intends to sanction the university for continuing to use its Fighting Sioux nickname and an American Indian head logo.

The NCAA considers the name and logo offensive, but a new state law says UND has to use them.

The meeting had been set for Monday, but it was postponed because of the death of the North Dakota Senate's Republican majority leader, Bob Stenehjem (STEN'-jum).

State Board of Higher Education president Grant Shaft says the meeting is likely to be in the afternoon.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

UPDATE: Shaft: NCAA meeting about Fighting Sioux nickname postponed

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via Wikipedia
The meeting on the 25th of July has been postponed.
Ryan Johnson, Grand Forks Herald ---- UPDATE: North Dakota GOP Senate leader's death leaves questions A meeting with NCAA officials about UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname and logo has been postponed because of the death of North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, officials said Wednesday.

The meeting was scheduled to take place Monday in Indianapolis.

But Grant Shaft, president of the State Board of Higher Education, said the meeting was postponed after Stenehjem’s funeral arrangements were set for the same day.

“We’re in the process of contacting the NCAA to let them know that we will have to postpone the meeting,” he said. “They’ll provide us with some alternate dates and I should have those in a day or two.”

Stenehjem was among several state officials expected to attend the meeting, including his brother, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, as well as House Majority Leader Al Carlson, North Dakota University System Chancellor William Goetz and UND President Robert Kelley.

Shaft said NCAA officials were contacted Monday shortly after Stenehjem was killed in a single-vehicle rollover accident in Alaska and were told that the visit might have to be delayed.

“My understanding was the NCAA was fine with that and very understanding,” he said.

Fighting Sioux nickname meeting may face snag

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via Wikipedia Here is the latest news.
BISMARCK — A planned meeting with NCAA officials next week about the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname may hit a snag because of the death of North Dakota Senate Republican majority leader Bob Stenehjem.

Stenehjem was killed in a rollover accident in Alaska. His funeral hasn't been scheduled but it's likely to be close to Monday's date for the NCAA meeting in Indianapolis.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and state House Republican majority leader Al Carlson plan to attend the meeting. But Carlson says it should be postponed if Bob Stenehjem's funeral is on the same day.

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ed Schafer: Time For Fighting Sioux Nickname To Go.

Ed SchaferImage via WikipediaYou can add former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer to the list of prominent people that are ready to move on and retire the Fighting Sioux nickname. Governor Ed Schafer weighed in on the Fighting Sioux nickname today on Scott Hennen's show.
FARGO, ND – A UND alumnus himself, former Governor and US Ag Secretary Ed Schafer has joined the growing ranks of North Dakotans saying today on the Scott Hennen show that the time has come to put an end to the fight to keep UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

During his time as Governor, Schafer said he often pushed to keep the name, pointing out the many benefits the name brought both to the Sioux reservations and to the university itself.

Although he did not sign yesterday’s letter, Schafer, himself a past president of both UND’s Alumni Association and Foundation Board, expressed his weariness of the state’s continuing battle with the NCAA.

“I’ve just come to the conclusion that it’s over,” said Schafer. “As much as I would like to keep the name; it’s not going to happen. We’ve spent too much time, resources and effort to fight it. Let’s get it over with, make the transition and move on. I don’t particularly like that, but that’s where it’s at.”

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Governor to lead UND nickname delegation to NCAA July 25

Well everyone in their brother is going to this meeting with the NCAA in Indianapolis, Indiana except representatives from the two North Dakota tribes (Standing Rock and Spirit Lake). This slight doesn’t make any sense to me what-so-ever.

So if you going to the NCAA main office in Indianapolis, Indiana to make the case for the University of North Dakota to retain the Fighting Sioux nickname because you don’t think it’s hostile and abusive, wouldn’t you include a few of the people of Native American decent (just to name a few, Archie D. Fool Bear, Eunice Davidson) that broke their backs trying to get their respective tribes to vote on the Fighting Sioux nickname?
Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- Gov. Jack Dalrymple will lead a North Dakota delegation July 25 to Indianapolis to meet with leaders of the NCAA, hoping to persuade the athletics association to alter its stance regarding UND and the Fighting Sioux nickname.

“Everybody is in,” said Grant Shaft, who as president of the State Board of Higher Education will join Dalrymple, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, and others at the long-anticipated face-to-face meeting.

The group also will include Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, UND President Robert Kelley and Athletic Director Brian Faison, North Dakota University System Chancellor William Goetz and Jody Hodgson, general manager of the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

“The governor will be the leader of the contingent,” Shaft said, “and he and Carlson will be the primary players at the table. The rest of us will be a supporting cast, there if we’re needed to answer questions.”

Kelley’s staff had worked with the NCAA in recent weeks to get possible dates for the meeting, which from the association’s side likely will involve President Mark Emmert and Vice President Bernard Franklin.

They told Kelley they’d be available for a sit-down session July 22 or 25. Shaft took those dates to Dalrymple and the others, and the 25th, a Monday, fit their calendars better.

State leaders had tried to arrange a meeting in Bismarck shortly after the legislative session ended, but the NCAA leaders balked, citing the apparent conflict between the Legislature and the State Board, which had directed UND to drop the name and logo.
The Spirit Lake Tribe in Devils Lake approved the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname, the Standing Rock Tribal Council failed to let their members vote on the issues, probably fearing that the vote at Standing Rock would have shaken out the same way. Something doesn’t smell right here… Anyone want to bet on whether the anti-nickname crowd will have their representatives present at this meeting as well?
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