NCAA didn't want an open meeting.

Grant Shaft was on the Flag 1100 A.M. with Scott Hennen yesterday and apparently the NCAA didn't want to participate in an open meeting. Hum! Interesting. That's not very transparent if you ask me. [Click to listen]

GRAND FORKS, ND – Top NCAA executives did not want to participate in a meeting that would have been open to the public; that’s “plain and simple,” according to State Board of Higher Education member Grant Shaft.

Appearing on the Scott Hennen Show yesterday, Shaft was disappointed that the NCAA cancelled its scheduled April 22nd meeting with state and school officials, but was hopeful that another conference could still be arranged.

“I don’t think they were looking for a situation where the meeting would be either covered by the press – or there would be any kind of testimony, or anything like that – and for that reason, they pretty clearly indicated that they weren’t going to come. I’m still hopeful we’ll have the opportunity to speak with the NCAA on this - I haven’t lost hope -it’s just that particular meeting on the 22nd fell through” Shaft said.

Although an open-door forum has been widely favored by the public (and some North Dakota legislators, including Governor Dalrymple) Shaft understood the uncomfortable position this would have presented the NCAA. In his experience, negotiations are best played out under the discretion of a “closed private setting”:

“You have to remember is there’s essentially two hats here: one is providing an opportunity for people to be a part of it, and vent themselves, or whatever they wanted to do – but the other part was for those of us who truly wanted to see if we could get a deal struck with them to retain the nickname and logo” Shaft said.

Shaft anticipates state and school officials will respond to the NCAA retraction after the current legislative session adjourns.

More on the canceled 22 April meeting with the NCAA.

Listen to Scott Hennen's of Common Sense Club 1100 A.M. the Flag as he discussed the NCAA backing out of the meeting that was supposed to take place on the 22nd of April 2011...There are some really good points that haven’t been taken into account. [Click to listen]

Standing Rock Tribal Members To Petition for Vote

I have said before that the Fighting Sioux logo and nick name are on life support, if something doesn't happen pretty soon. It's time to either have a vote on the Standing Rock Reservation or we can kiss the logo and Fighting Sioux name goodbye. Time is running out, the ball is in their court. The UND athletic department is desperate to get into the Summit League (emphasis mine), because they don’t have a home for their men and women’s basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming and diving and baseball teams. The Football team is still looking for a place to call home because the Great West Conference is  unimpressive and in my opinion an over glorified Divison II football league.

Next Tuesday a group of Sioux Nickname supporters on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation will circulate a petition around the community.

The petition will ask for a reservation-wide vote on the issue.

Nickname supporter Tom Iron says next Tuesday him and 8 others will start the petition to gauge tribal support in the next two weeks.

Iron says he will need 550-signatures to make it valid and that would override a moratorium that previously banned a vote.

He will present it to tribal chair Charlie Murphy and ask the vote to happen before February 18th.

That's the date of a State Board Of higher education meeting where some board members have indicated they might look toward retirement
[WDAZ.COM]

Standing Rock chairman wants no nickname deadline

You kind of have to wonder what this means? Sounds like he is saying we can negoiate, but... We will see what happens.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - Standing Rock tribal Chairman Charles Murphy says the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname is not at the top of his administration's priorities right now but he's willing to talk about it if no deadlines are imposed.

In a letter to University System Chancellor William Goetz, Murphy says tribal members clearly are divided over the nickname and Indianhead logo.

The NCAA considers the nickname and logo hostile and abusive. The state Board of Higher Education plans to drop them unless the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes sign off on long term agreements.

Murphy says he's aware of the desire for a 30-year agreement but he says those types of conditions are "better discussed and agreed upon rather than stipulated."

His letter says he's ready to meet with board members if they're willing to talk about it without deadlines and stipulations.

Nickname opponents bring out the heavy hitters.

Looks like the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname croud is bringing out the big guns for it's Rally against the Fighting Sioux nickname. I am surprised Russell Means isn't coming as well. The Standing Rock Tribe also has their election today. EDIT: Happened to drive by the Memorial Union today when I was out about 9:15 A.M. and there was a very SMALL croud protesting the Fighting Sioux name. I would estimate the size of the crowd to be abut 50-75 top end. Probably closer to 50 people. Not a very big crowd. Of course the news cameras were there.

Senior American Indian civil rights activists are among the speakers at Wednesday’s rally against the Fighting Sioux nickname at UND, according to information in a press release issued by rally organizers.

Both Clyde Bellecourt and Duane Martin Sr. took part in AIM’s 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, S.D., a seminal moment in Indian civil rights.

Bellecourt, an Ojibwe, is also considered a founder of the civil rights group.

Martin, in 2007, joined activist Russell Means and others in declaring the Lakotah nation independent of the United States, claiming vast tracts in North and South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. These are lands it said were given to Lakotah people in the original 1868 treaty.

Other speakers include Erich Longie, longtime nickname opponent from the Spirit Lake reservation; David Gipp, president of United Tribes Technical College; and Denise Lajimodiere, a UND alumna and an education professor at North Dakota State University.

The rally will take place at 9 a.m. in front of UND’s Memorial Union.

The focus of the rally is on a meeting of the State Board of Higher Education on Thursday in which the board would consider extending the deadline for the state’s two namesake tribes to approve of the nickname.

Nickname opponents say the American Indian nicknames are derogatory.
[Grand Forks Herald]

Chairman Says Tribe Won’t Approve Fighting Sioux Nickname

Very interesting situation. My first question is, if Ron His Horse is Thunder is voted out of office how is he going to continue continue to oppose the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname, even if he loses his re-election bid. my first question is how, if the people of the Standing Rock Tribe are allowed to vote and accept UND's use of the Fighting Sioux name. Is one man that powerful that he can stop the people from voicing their opinion?

From everything I have read that the Standing Rock Tribe is going to wait until after the tribal election to re-address the approval of UND's us of the Fighting Sioux nick name. It would be interesting to see what kind of action does RHHiT plans to use to stop it? The article says that the vote was 9-3 against the nick name but who is to say that they won't change their mind?

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe said Thursday that tribal officials will continue to oppose the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname, even if he loses his re-election bid later this month.
The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has voted to abolish the name and Indian head logo unless it gets a 30-year agreement from the state’s two Sioux tribes by Oct. 1. The issue was not on the agenda at the board’s meeting Thursday, but a handful of supporters and opponents of the nickname spoke during a public comment period.

Standing Rock Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder told the board that most recent vote by the Standing Rock tribal council was 9-3 against the nickname. He said the result shows the council’s position does not depend on whether he stays in office.

“Let’s move forward with this,” His Horse Is Thunder said. “We have beat each other enough as it is.”

Nickname supporter Archie Fool Bear, also of the Standing Rock reservation, asked the board to allow more time to vote on the nickname and logo.

“I say that with a good heart and an open mind because I respect everybody’s opinion,” Fool Bear said. “If it’s negative and it’s bad against the logo, I respect that opinion. But our culture has always been considered by a lot of people to be a strong point for surviving as a Sioux nation.”

So are you offended?

This is the picture that was on the cover of the Texas Tech-UND media guide and it had some in the the P.C. anti Fighting Sioux name crowd offended. Even causing the University of North Dakota to issue a statement about the Tech Tech Picture; “I don’t think the image represents the University of North Dakota the way we would like to be represented,” UND spokesman Peter Johnson said, “but I also think it’s impossible to control the behavior of opposing teams.”

You can't control the behavior of teams and or individuals. Like or not these behaviors are protected under the first amendment. Personally I don't think Texas Tech meant any offense with their picture and maybe we can chalk it up as a learning experience. I don't think Texas Tech will make the same mistake again if we play them in football again. Personally, I have seen a lot worse posters and signs from the old days of the NCC football, say maybe at a Sioux Bison game back in the 1990's out at Memorial stadium or at the Fargo Dome.

I think this latest dust up with the Texas Tech media guide is a perfect example Of what we have become. We have become a nation of hypersensitive complainers ready to jump on the slightest thing that we think or perceive as offensive. I looked at it and I am not offended by the picture.

Supporter of Fighting Sioux nick name to try again.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

FORT YATES (AP) - A supporter of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation says he will try again to get the Tribal Council's backing.

Archie Fool Bear says he will ask council members to approve his resolution supporting UND's nickname and Indian head logo when they meet this morning. He says scheduling and lack of a quorum last Thursday kept the council from considering his request.

Some believe UND's nickname and logo are offensive. The school plans to retire them on Aug. 1, 2010, unless the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes agree by Oct. 1 to give UND permission to use them for at least 30 years.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council has not only opposed the nickname, it also voted to ban a referendum on support last year.

Fool Bear wants the council to recognize a pipe ceremony that he says took place 40 years ago in which tribal leaders gave their blessing to UND to use the name.

Facebook poll on the Fighting Sioux name.

There is a poll on face book right now on whether UND should keep the Fighting Sioux nick name. The poll results are like 92% for right 2% against the name and 1%.

Here is what Archie D. Fool Bear had to say on this matter, I think it is worth a read and he does give a strong case for keeping the Fighting Sioux nick name. Just for the Record Archie is a full blooded Native American from the Sioux tribe and he is for the University of North Dakota keeping the Fighting Sioux name.

Archie D. Fool Bear 10:53 pm
The deadline is not written in stone.. The actual Court order says 2010, not Oct 1 2009. From my experiences.. UND did not create prejudice, hatred or a hostile environment..but you can guarantee those who look for the worst in any thing will find it. If you look hard enough for bad you'll find it, but the same is true for the Good. The logo didnt create what the anit-logo group is saying, and this issue isn't a cowboy NDN issue its an issue of whether or not our own tribes truly believe in their customs, practices and traditions. In 1969 we gave UND the right to use name. I like what the Spirit Lake did, the people voted to see that their opinion mattered and they did not listen to the negative people. The anti Sioux Movement came to standing rock to change the tribes name, using the UND issues, but it didnt work in June 2008 the people of Standing Rock overwhelmingly voted down the name change . There lys the fear of a vote for the people of Standing Rock.

Time frame narrows for Standing Rock nickname referendum

This does not appear to be a good thing. Actually this could mean the Fighting Sioux nickname is on life support. We will see what happens. It will be interesting to see how the tribal elections go this fall.

Another effort to get the Fighting Sioux nickname on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe ballot in September has failed to work out, giving nickname supporters much less time to meet their goals.

Archie Fool Bear, a tribal member who supports the nickname, said he was going to ask a Tribal Council member to put a nickname referendum up for a vote Tuesday, but the council finished its meeting too early, and he was at work.

An earlier council had narrowly voted down a similar referendum, and he’d hoped to have better luck.

Next week, he said, he’ll try to go through the committee process.

The committee process takes longer, and he thought he could bypass it by going directly to the council itself. Now, it doesn’t appear the council will meet again until early September, he said.

That could be cutting it perilously close. The election is Sept. 30, and it takes a few weeks to advertise sample ballots and print ballots.

Fool Bear said he’ll keep working, but he wished UND would confront the Tribal Council with evidence that, in 1969, some tribal elders had performed a sacred pipe ceremony granting the university use of the nickname.

This is unlikely to happen because UND no longer has control of the nickname issue. The State Board of Higher Education does and it has indicated the ball is in the tribe’s court.

Under a settlement with the NCAA, which considers Indian nicknames offensive, UND and the state needs the support of the state’s two Sioux tribes. The Spirit Lake tribe had earlier voted to support the nickname, so now the decision falls to Standing Rock, whose tribal council has not been supportive.

The state board has imposed an Oct. 1 deadline for tribal councils to issue resolutions of support and approve a 30-year agreement on UND’s use of the nickname or the university will begin transitioning to a new one.
[Grand Forks Herald]

UND nickname proponents hope for Standing Rock referendum

I have been out of pocket for the day and a half and there wasn't an Internet hook up next to the campfire last night. All I can say to the Standing Rock members is keep fighting the good fight, KEEP putting pressure on the Ron His Horse is Thunder. Don't let a few talk for the whole tribe.

Standing Rock supporters of UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname continue to hope that they can get the issue on the ballot as a referendum within the next two months.

Archie Fool Bear, a nickname proponent, said his group is still gathering signatures to persuade the Tribal Council to give tribal members a say.

In May 2008, the council voted to ban any nickname referendum indefinitely. In May of this year, some members of the council tried to reverse that but were narrowly defeated, Fool Bear said.

That proves to him, he said, that not the entire council is intent on blocking a vote. If he can get enough signatures together, he could talk to some opposing council members and see if they’d change their mind, he said.

So, contrary to nickname supporters’ earlier expectations, the Tribal Council appears to be central to the nickname issue.

For UND to retain the nickname, which opponents say is racist and creates a hostile campus environment, the Tribal Councils of both the namesake tribes in the state must approve. The State Board of Higher Education in May added another requirement: a 30-year agreement to keep the nickname from both councils. The deadline, the board said, is Oct. 1.

Eunice Davidson, a nickname supporter in the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, said the Tribal Council there hasn’t approved the nickname yet, though she expects it’ll happen soon. She and other supporters got the issue on the ballot in April, and 67.3 percent of voters approved. [Grand Forks Herald]

Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Narrowly Advances to General Election

You do have to wonder if his narrow vitory has to do with his lack of flexibility on the Fighting Sioux nick name issue? Ron His Horse Is Thunder is stifling the democratic process by not letting the the members of the Standing Rock tribe vote on the Fighting Sioux nick name. What is he afraid of?

Unofficial Results: Cassie Walder, WDAZ, Published Thursday, July 16, 2009
Unofficial election results show current chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Fort Yates, North Dakota, narrowly advancing to the tribe’s September general election. Current chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder was not the top vote-getter in Wednesday night's primary election. Early morning unofficial result tallies show only two votes carried His Horse Is Thunder as one of the two candidates advancing. His top challenger, former tribal chairman Charles Murphy, topped His Horse Is Thunder with 567 votes from the tribes 8 precincts. But it was current tribal vice-chair Avis Little Eagle who was the most immediate threat to His Horse Is Thunder, receiving 221 votes. Just two less than His Horse Is Thunder's 223 vote total. Again, these results were unofficial at press time. If certified, both His Horse Is Thunder and Murphy will move forward to the tribe’s September general election.


His Horse Is Thunder has repeatedly held his opposition to the University of North Dakota’s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Though Standing Rock supporters of the nickname have called for a tribe-wide vote, His Horse Is Thunder has maintained such a vote would not be binding. He said the Sioux nickname issue was not a driving force in the primary election run-off. Though several candidates running for the tribal chairman's spot were vocal in their support of UND's use of the nickname, top vote-getter Charles Murphy has not spoken about it.


Without approval from both the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes and a 30-year contract granting UND use of the nickname by October 1 of this year, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education will retire the nickname. The Spirit Lake tribe voted in support of the nickname this spring. However, the Spirit Lake tribal council has not granted a 30-year approval for nickname use. Tonight's Standing Rock election results will be certified tomorrow.

VIEWPOINT: Spirit Lake in support of Standing Rock

Here is an interesting letter to the editor that was in this weekend’s Grand Forks Herald. The writers bring up some very valid points that have been over looked by the pro-change crowd. These writers are right a very small group of people referred to by the letter writers, 'as very small but vocal group of malcontents' have put UND on the verge of changing the University of North Dakota’s historic nick name.

SPIRIT LAKE NATION -- On April 21, 2009, the people of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe exercised our Democratic rights and privileges as free Americans and participated in a vote to determine the fate of the UND Fighting Sioux nickname. The vote was a landslide in support of keeping the name and logo in place as it has been for more than 80 years, and yet the controversy and opposition we continue to encounter remains surprisingly desperate from a very small but vocal group of malcontents.

In the time since the vote, the leaders of the movement to put the issue on the ballot have reflected on just what has happened and what it means to them. In retrospect, the battle that is now behind the Spirit Lake people has charged the residents with pride, respect and a feeling of self determination that is still strong. The vote has given us all a taste of freedom and a renewed appreciation for democracy. It has also given our people a feeling of unity as we stood together and accomplished our goal.

The matter of the name is far from resolved as a result of this vote, but the success of the Spirit Lake people to speak their own mind and determine their own fate has spurred kindred Sioux people in the state to pursue a similar course of action on the Standing Rock Reservation.

The Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect was determined from the start to keep the focus on the issue and conduct our campaign in a manner that would leave no room for criticism or condemnation. It has been difficult, especially when members were accused of things like taking money from “The Ralph," or fraudulently obtaining signatures for petitions. This treatment was not limited to the committee members only, but the Engelstad Family Foundation and even Ralph Engelstad himself was dragged through the muck. The internet news forums prior to the vote abounded with emotionally charged missives from both sides of the issue which often overlooked the point of the issue completely. While we appreciate support from any who offer it, we have and will continue to conduct ourselves and our activities in a manner of understanding and respect, just like our committee name says, and encourage our supporters to do likewise.

In reference to the 1969 naming ceremony conducted on the campus of the University of North Dakota when Standing Rock tribal leaders officially blessed the University’s use of the Sioux name, there can be no retractions or dismissals. This ceremony was conducted as a pipe ceremony and a pipe ceremony can never be undone or taken back. Spiritual leaders are the only ones who should talk about these matters and they will not discuss this in public and very seldom in private, because the pipe (c’anunpa) is far too sacred for public discussion. For example, when our chiefs signed a treaty and gave their word with the pipe, individual chiefs could later have a change of heart but the treaty still stands.

Why is it so easy for the ND State Board of Higher Education to change their agreement to allow the ND Sioux Tribes until November, 2010 to approve or disapprove the UND nickname? Is it because treaties are made to be broken?

We want to be remembered by our grandchildren and great grandchildren as Dakota Sioux who fought for the right to be proud of our name in spite of the vicious onslaught by people who let their prejudice overwhelm their sense of pride and dignity. We encourage all of our youth to strive for an education so that they can help their people and become true representatives of the “Fighting Sioux."

The ND State Board of Higher Education will make the ultimate decision regarding the continued use of the “Fighting Sioux“ nickname and logo. The settlement agreement between the State and the NCAA says that the two ND Sioux Tribes must give their approval in order for the University to retain the name and logo. This decision can only be made by the people of Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes and no one else. The news media has given far too much attention to the outcries of a small group of disgruntled faculty and Native students at UND who are neither Sioux nor from the Spirit Lake or Standing Rock reservations.

We would like to take this opportunity to convey our thoughts and feelings to our brothers and sisters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. We support the right of the people at Standing Rock to be heard and we support their efforts to have a say in the Fighting Sioux name and logo debate.

The Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Council respected the wishes of their people and understood that this issue was far too big and far too personal for just a small group of people to decide. This issue is not a political pawn. This issue is a very personal and individual matter that requires the input of each member of the tribe.

The vote at Spirit Lake gave our people an opportunity to tell the world how the Fighting Sioux name and logo makes each individual tribal member feel. The people of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe clearly told the world they feel good about the Fighting Sioux name and logo.

No matter what side of the issue they were on, almost unanimously, the people of Spirit Lake Sioux tribe are grateful for the opportunity to voice their opinion and respect the outcome of the people’s vote. We ask for our many relatives at Standing Rock to be given the same opportunity. Let’s put this issue to rest once and for all and get on with the task of tackling the real issues that impact us in Indian country.

Our people are a people of consensus and the only way for this matter to be resolved is to give the people a chance to voice their individual opinions on this very personal matter. We are willing to live with the results of such a vote, whatever the result may be.

This letter was also signed by Spirit Lake Committee for Understand and Respect members Demus McDonald, Frank Black Cloud, Oliver Gourd, Eunice Davidson, Alex Yankton and Renita DeLorme.

Spirit Lake nickname supporters not giving up

Sounds like the pro name people at Spirt Lake Nation will not let the name go down without a fight. Stay tuned.

FORT TOTTEN (AP) - Spirit Lake Sioux tribal members who support the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname say they're seeking a resolution from the tribal council.

Eunice Davidson is spokeswoman for the pro-nickname group. She says its members plan to meet with the newly elected council members next week to talk about a formal resolution supporting the nickname.

A tribal vote in April gave strong support to the nickname. But UND plans to retire it unless the Standing Rock Sioux tribe also supports it. Standing Rock tribal council members have been among the opposition leaders.

The State Board of Higher Education voted last month to do away with the nickname unless it gets a 30-year agreement from the state's Sioux tribes by Oct. 1.

Interesting perspective.

Interesting letter to the editor in today's Grand Forks Herald. I think Mr. Fool Bear is right if there was a vote on the Fighting Sioux name Ron His Horse is Thunder wouldn't like the results. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months. I say let the tribal members have their vote. What are we afraid of?

FORT YATES, N.D. — It’s disturbing to watch what is happening on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and in North Dakota.

In both places, leaders are ignoring those whom they’re entrusted with representing.

Standing Rock is a failed democracy. Likewise, some state government entities are backing (and imposing the views of) a radical few over the common sense of the progressive many. All in the name of political correctness, or maybe it’s fear of being called racist — who knows?

Standing Rock voted overwhelmingly to keep using our nation’s “Sioux” name a year ago. That issue was part of the anti-nickname activists’ continuing effort to deny tribal members a chance to vote in a UND nickname referendum.

The tribal council imposed a moratorium on such a referendum for one reason: to silence and deny the inevitable truth.

Standing Rock will vote in favor of UND and its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, the same as Spirit Lake did. Otherwise, why would nickname opponents make such unethical political efforts to deny tribal members a chance to vote?

It completely contradicts democracy.

Instead, the nickname opponents spread racist propaganda throughout the reservation, using UND as reference in their efforts to change our nation’s proud Sioux name to Oyate. But they failed miserably, much like the anti-logo movement at Spirit Lake did.

Spirit Lake members forced the UND issue to a ballot — and the results were not surprising in Sioux country. We’ve known this all along: The “Silent Majority” is 2-1 ratio in favor of the UND nickname, the same ratio that emerged in the Oyate-vs.-Sioux vote.

The collective Sioux voice has been heard consistently but still is ignored: Is this not enough evidence?

But even so, North Dakota along with the rest of country continues to submit to this vocal few.

The facts are these: We are proud to be Sioux, and we are proud of the UND Fighting Sioux.

Democracy has proven this time and time again. However, this issue has proven that democratic leaders are not obligated to represent the majority.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has its reasons for their deciding as it did, but one would assume that North Dakota traditions, democratic evidence, progress and common sense would hold much more weight than would baseless rumors and the availability of an athletic conference.

The board is failing North Dakota’s heritage, much like the leadership at Standing Rock has failed us.

At the moment, the politicians are winning, but there is still time. Where are our leaders?

Long live the Sioux, and long live the UND Fighting Sioux.

Steve Fool Bear

Hockey news on the Fighting Sioux name.

Ryan Kennedy from the Hockey News weighs in on the Fighting Sioux nick name. This article has a few things that should be addressed. First, I don't believe the NCAA is going to accept the nick name Warriors not with the current logo anyways. There is already a NSIC team named the Warriors, the Sioux used to whoop up on them in football.

I have seen people write what is going to be be removed from the arena if the name is changed; I think people are miss stating the facts. The fact laid out by the settlement is that the championship banners hanging from the rafters, the photos, trophies and statues and the Sitting Bull statue in front of the Englestad arena and logos in the granite floor are not going anywhere. (NCAA Settlement agreement)

The Fighting Sioux name in North Dakota will soon be no more. The university’s controversial moniker is getting an update, thus appeasing the NCAA as well as actual Sioux nation members from two of the state’s three tribes, who would both need to change stances and endorse the name in order to keep it (the third is already on board).

Over the years there has been much debate over the topic; fans insist their love of the name and logo stems from pride and respect. Charges of racism are often quite wounding to UND supporters, though the hockey team’s greatest benefactor never really helped matters.

Ralph Engelstad, whose name graces the Fighting Sioux’s sparkling arena (which hosted the world juniors in 2005), was criticized for throwing parties in a Nazi-themed secret room at his Imperial Casino in Las Vegas on Hitler’s birthday in the 1980s. His $100 million donation to UND for the arena was contingent on the university keeping the Fighting Sioux name. Engelstad died of cancer in 2002.

But the name is likely a moot point now. The fans can regard themselves as Sioux Nation as long as they want, but the sweaters and pennants will have to be changed. The school that gave us Ed Belfour, Zach Parise and T.J. Oshie will still churn out excellent players, so what should the team be named?

Coming up with a new tag for a school so identified with the old one is tricky. And since the most obvious name for a team from North Dakota – the Bison – is already being used by North Dakota State, UND will have to get creative.

One way to keep the theme of the Fighting Sioux without the inflammatory bits, would be to call the team the Warriors. It’s a little plain, but it’s also vague enough to not be offensive. After all, a warrior can be anyone from a Sioux combatant to Peter Forsberg. Animal names are also very good. Unfortunately, North Dakota doesn’t have a very intimidating menagerie.

The state bird is the western meadowlark and North Dakota is sometimes known as the ‘Flickertail State’ because of a local squirrel. Taking to the ice as the North Dakota Flickertails would provide a little too much ammo for the Badgers and Bulldogs of the WCHA.

The state horse is the nakota, which is a cool-sounding name if you don’t mind the tongue-twister of saying “North Dakota Nakotas.” The Utah Utes have survived, after all.

How about this one?

Big A HG had this uniform idea/concept posted over on Siouxsports.com and if UND decides to go with the no-logo/nick name in the interim while they pick a new one I think this is also a really good option. Contrary to the people that think you can just change the nick name, it may take a while to find an acceptable replacement nick name and logo that will even come close to the Fighting Sioux name and in my opinion that could be debatable as well. On my personal short list of name is no name, Wild Nokotas, Norse and Areos (flight School), Predators (UAV's), SOO and Flyers.

Logos what can stay and what can go.

I have seen the question posed on what can stay and what would have to go to be compliant with the NCAA settlement. I have also seen a lot of stuff that is incorrect, this should clear things up.

If UND had to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the privately-owned Ralph Engelstad Arena wanted to host NCAA post-season games, it would have to remove many of the 2,400 logos it now contains.

What would stay and what would have to go?

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames, says “images commonly associated with Native American culture” are not allowed, except these:

- Images of historical significance: These include championship banners, photos, trophies and statues, such as the Sitting Bull statue in front.

- Images that would be cost prohibitive to remove, namely the logos in the granite floor.

- Images the arena may replace over time: These include carpeting, turf, wood flooring, medallions on the seats and railings, lighted logos outside and etched glass door. Each item has a timetable for replacement from the end of 2011 to the end of 2015. (read the article here)

Also, if there logos were going to be changed don't expect Ralph Engelstad Arena or the Engelstad family to play for the changes it isn't going to happen. Nor should they be expected to pay for it. Maybe the people that wanted the Fighting Sioux name changed should poney up the money. Maybe team North Dakota can get a grant from the Federal government to pay for the changes.

On Friday we asked for a reaction from Jody Hodgson, the arena’s general manager and a representative of the Engelstad Family Foundation.

He said, among other things, that the arena’s preference, no matter the outcome, is to avoid any changes, such as removal of the logos. If changes were needed, he said, the arena won’t pay the more than $1 million cost.

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames and imagery, requires the removal of many Sioux logos in the arena before UND can host a post-season game there. The settlement origi-nally set a Nov. 30, 2010 deadline to get tribal approval to use the name.
(read the article here)

Lastly, I have heard people say that the arena is going to blow up or be destroyed if the Fighting Sioux name is changed. Let's get serious, that's is not going to happen, folks. It is an urban legend that was started after the construction of the REA was almost stopped back in 2000 because of political correctness run amok. No one can find any documentation that says this because it is not true.

Engelstad family 'deeply disappointed' by 'lack of conviction'

The Englestad family is upset with UND president President Kelley and his lack of conviction. This is why I have said all along that I think UND needs to have a person with strong ties to UND serving as our university president, not some transient. The name means nothing to a bureaucrat like Kelly. So basically the university and the State Board of Higher Education pissed off one of their major donors there could be more to follow. Then try funding the university.

Statement from the Engelstad Family Foundation – May 15, 2009

In response to the resolution passed by the State Board of Higher Education the following statement is being released by the Engelstad Family Foundation.

"My father was immensely proud as a student-athlete to be identified with the Fighting Sioux and its proud and honored heritage," commented Kris Engelstad McGarry, daughter of Ralph Engelstad. "We stand with the 67% of tribal members at Spirit Lake who believe the identification with a fine university is a relationship which would have continued to bring benefit and opportunities to the Sioux citizens.

"I am deeply disappointed that the State Board and President Kelly are not committed to retaining the Fighting Sioux name and logo, however I can't say that I'm surprised by their lack of conviction. This is a sad day for North Dakota.

"We remain steadfast in our dedication to the students, the alumni, and the traditions established at UND.

"I feel it necessary to once again answer the question of why this issue is so important to us. As my father has stated, "Tradition is that gentle fabric woven through time and experience which generates meaning, character and identity to one and all. The Fighting Sioux logo, the Fighting Sioux tradition and the spirit of being a Fighting Sioux are of lasting value and immeasurable significance to our past, present and future."

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution.

In case you haven't read it here is the text of the from yesterday's nick name resolution.

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution adopted by North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on May 14, 2009
Consistent with the terms and conditions of the October 26, 2007, Settlement Agreement entered into with the NCAA, the Board directs UND officials to retire the “Sioux” nickname and logo, effective October 1, 2009. Full retirement of the nickname and logo shall be completed no later than August 1, 2010. In the event a new nickname and logo are adopted by UND, they shall not violate the NCAA policy regarding Native American nicknames, mascots and imagery.

UND is further directed to undertake actions consistent with the Settlement Agreement to protect its intellectual property rights in the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and mark.

UND is further directed to address the imagery at Ralph Engelstad Arena and other venues pursuant to the terms, conditions and timelines set forth in the Settlement Agreement.

This directive shall be suspended, if, prior to October 1, 2009, the following should happen:

1. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe give namesake approval consistent with the terms of the Settlement Agreement; and

2. The namesake approval be binding upon the tribes for a period not less than thirty (30) years.