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.”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.
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)
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.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?
This time, the Grand Forks delegation appears likely to be unanimous. (Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald)
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]
