This letter to the editor was in today addition of the Grand Forks Herald, it's from a former Fighting Sioux hockey player that is also of Native American decent. I would like to see Sudie Hofmann or Winona LaDuke try to refute his letter...
By Bill LeCaine CENTENNIAL, Colo. — I’m a Lakota Sioux and was born on the Wood Mountain Lakota Sioux reservation in Wood Mountain, Sask. That was where Sitting Bull and his people fled to in order to escape the U.S. Army after the battle of the Little Big Horn.
My mother took me off the reserve at age 4 or 5, and I lived with her on skid row until the government took me from her. After that, I lived in children’s shelters and foster homes.
I attended UND on a hockey scholarship and later played 14 years as a pro, including playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League.
I’m proud to have worn the “Fighting Sioux” logo and of what it stands for.
The name was chosen for all the right reasons: honor, pride, courage, respect and dignity, along with family and religious ethics that people are proud of.
Most alumni with whom I’ve spoken did not attend UND for the “Fighting Sioux” logo or name. But they did learn to love the name and school and everything that they stand for today.
Somebody once said that nothing happens until someone says something. More important, nothing happens unless someone is listening. I hope that 100 years from now, North Dakotans can say we made the right decision. Good things happen when good people do the right thing.
A few years ago, I met an author who wrote books about genocides that happened in the course of history. He also raised money for synagogues so that the world would not forget the Holocaust.
I asked him if he included in his books the genocide perpetrated on American Indians by our own government. He was embarrassed to tell me that he had forgotten that very significant part of our history and assured me it would be in his next book.
Only 130 years have passed since the battle of the Little Big Horn; how soon we forget.
The Fighting Sioux name and the programs that UND has for American Indians are a tribute to and should serve as a reminder of that part of history.
I’m also a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation in South Dakota because of my great-grandfather, Black Moon, who fought with Sitting Bull. My grandfather, John O’kute Sica, was a historian and writer. A German publishing company just printed a book with his writings of history and what might happen in the future. This summer, it will be published in English.
For my part, I only hope that my writings of the present can say that good people who do good things can have a profound impact on history and on the Indian nations that have not had many good things happen to them.
And I hope that my writings about the future will say what an uplifting occasion this was for all American Indians.
Let’s think about the future and not get stuck in the “now and immediate” time frame.
To sum up, I can say that everything I’ve accomplished today as an athlete, a father and a business person, I owe to hockey and UND.
LeCaine is president and CEO of Arrow Technologies, an Indian-owned company that designs and installs copper and fiber-optic systems.
He was the first American Indian to play in the National Hockey League.
This is good news for the Boston Bruins because it mean that their best players is getting better and could make a return to the ice soon. It's no mystery that the Boston Bruins who are already offensively challenged are a much better team with Marc Savard in the line up.
Marc Savard will travel to Buffalo this afternoon and participate in tomorrow's morning skate. Savard visited with Dr. Kelly McInnis this morning, and although he hadn't gotten any results, he believes he has been cleared for contact. Tomorrow will be the first time Savard skates with his teammates, although given the nature of morning skates, it doesn't project to be a high-tempo session.
"Just getting my wind back," Savard said. "You can do biking or whatever you want. But nothing's like being on the ice. Just keep taking it a day at a time and get stronger that way." [Boston Globe Hockey Blog]
The Bruins cashed in on their opportunities last night and the Sabres did not. The Sabres coach, Buffalo media and the Sabres fans can blame the officiating for the loss last night but the officiating was equally poor on both ends of the ice last night. That dog doesn’t hunt in this case.
If anything the officiating has been consistently poor in every game that I have watched. The other night I watched Andrew Ference get a 10 minute misconduct for getting punched and not fighting back. So if anything both team have legitimate complaints about the poor officiating. If anything the level of officiating has degraded and taken a step back this year. It is what it is, the fact remains the Bruins have out played the Sabres for most of this series and that is why the Bruins are on the verge of eliminating the Buffalo Sabres and sending them to the golf course. If it wasn’t for Ryan Miller the Bruins would have won the series 4-0 all ready.
BOSTON — Lindy Ruff's wallet could be a few bucks lighter after he's finished paying a fine for criticizing the officials, but you could understand his frustration after the game Wednesday. A terrible call in the third period shifted momentum to the Bruins and enabled them to crawl back from another two-goal deficit.
Cody McCormick was summoned by Buffalo from Portland to add some much-needed muscle and tenacity, and that's exactly what he provided. He made a great play to set up Tim Kennedy for the first goal. And he was going hard to the net when he was taken off of his feet before slamming into Tuukka Rask, leading to goaltender interference.
Terrible call? Definitely.
Tough break? Yes.
Ruff had a legitimate beef and allowed his emotions to get the better of him, plain and simple. He could blame Drew Stafford for jumping off the bench too soon, which led to Miroslav Satan, of all people, scoring on a power play backhander in the second overtime. All it takes is one bad play, one mental mistake, to cost a team in the postseason.
The Sabres are in a world of trouble after the 3-2 loss in TD Garden. They're staring down the barrel of elimination Friday with the best-of-seven series shifting back to Buffalo. They have lost three straight to the Bruins. They put together their best performance in Game Four, and it wasn't enough.
This was a good fight for Milan Lucic as he handed it to Craig Rivet. I think the fight also fired up both teams. For Lucic to be affective he must play tough and finish his checks.
Check out this opening montage for last night's game between the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadians. Think the NHL is banking on Ovechkin keeping peoples eyes glued to the television.
What a beautiful goal by former Buffalo Sabre Miroslav Satan to beat the Sabres. I must say that I am very happy because it's been 18 years since the Boston Bruins have beaten the Buffalo Sabres in the Stanley Cup playoffs, (1991-1992 season Bruins win series 4-3). The Boston Bruins are on the verge of winning the series against their heated rival.
Not a former Fighting Sioux hockey player but a former WCHA star. Former Wisconsin Badger Hockey player Joe Pavelski scored the game winning goal against the Colorado Av's last night to even the series with the Av's 2-2. Seriously, what a shot to end the game by the former Badger forward. Pavelsi blew the puck past Anderson, making him look like a rented goalie.
Governor soon to be North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has finally manned up and stepped into the nickname process. This is the right decision. Frankly, I have wondered what has taken Hoeven so long? I wish some of the states other political leaders would have stepped up earlier in this matter.
Gov. John Hoeven has advised the chancellor of the North Dakota University System to “give due consideration to any vote by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe” regarding the UND Fighting Sioux nickname if it occurs before Nov. 30.
In his letter to Chancellor Bill Goetz, dated Tuesday, Hoeven noted that the state Supreme Court recently affirmed the State Board of Higher Education’s “authority and responsibility to decide on the use of the logo” subject to a lawsuit and settlement agreement involving UND and the NCAA, which considers American Indian nicknames and logos hostile and abusive.
The board on April 8 directed UND to begin the transition away from the 80-year-old nickname.
“It is important, however, that all involved in the process of deciding whether or not to retain it feel that they have been adequately heard,” the governor wrote.
Hoeven was asked last week by nickname supporters at the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe to use his influence with higher education officials to allow the people of Standing Rock to speak to the issue. He forwarded a copy of that appeal, from the Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect, to Goetz and to Richie Smith, president of the higher education board.
Under terms of the lawsuit settlement between UND and the NCAA, the university had until Nov. 30 to win the blessing of the two namesake tribes or begin retiring the nickname and logo.
Spirit Lake voters gave their support last year, but the Standing Rock Tribal Council, citing procedural hurdles and calling such a vote a low priority, has not scheduled one despite the presentation by nickname supporters on the reservation of petitions containing more than 1,000 signatures.
Tribal officials have said they are looking into what would be required by tribal law and the Standing Rock constitution to hold a plebiscite on the nickname.
Eunice Davidson, one of the signers of the Spirit Lake appeal, said that she and others on her committee “would have liked a more forceful response” from the governor.
“But I think he responded the best he could, and we are grateful for the governor’s statement,” she said. “I believe it leaves the door open, if Standing Rock does have their vote, for the Board of Higher Education to revisit their decision.”
Duaine Espegard, a member of the state board from Grand Forks, said today the board “absolutely” would revive the nickname issue if Standing Rock votes and offers its support.
“It appears the governor agrees with what we’ve been saying,” he said. “Should they vote at Standing Rock, and it is positive (toward continued use of the nickname), we would certainly give them consideration — and beyond that, go with them.”
So far, “no progress has been made” on arranging a vote at Standing Rock, Espegard said. “But if they do vote, and they give approval and a long-term agreement, absolutely I’ll bring it back,” he said.
“It’s what I anticipated the governor would say,” board member Grant Shaft, also of Grand Forks, said.
“We all agree it would be the best scenario if Standing Rock members were able to vote,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been asking for for 2½ years. And if they do vote, the board should give that due consideration.”
Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Charles Murphy and Jesse Taken Alive, a council member who opposes UND’s use of the nickname, were not immediately available for comment.
Davidson said she has talked with Archie Fool Bear, a leader of the Standing Rock petition drive seeking a vote there. “I think a thousand people, their signatures on a petition — that says a lot,” Davidson said. “So I hope they (members of the tribal council) allow them to have a vote. They should.” [Grand Forks Herald]
Not that I am fan of Jarkko Ruutu (this is the same clown that bit Andrew Peters) but it was nice to see Matt Cooke getting more of what he deserves. I would like to give Ruutu a medal for him punching one of the biggest hacks in the NHL and that is saying a lot because there are many of them.
Decent fight by Sobotka. I want someone to tell me what Andrew Ference did to recieve a 10 minute misconduct? Not to Ference if someone is punching you like that stop being a puss and fight back. You look like a clown pleading to the ref to rescue you. What you should have done is punch Craig Rivet back.
I was watching this game last night and the Vancouver Canucks had an apparent legal goal waived off. If I had been reffing I would have ruled it a legit goal. Puck Daddy thinks the Canucks were jobbed. I think looking at the video there is a case for the argument that the Canucks were screwed in the ruling.
1. Did Sedin and the Canucks get jobbed?
Totally. The only reason many felt it was a borderline call when it went to replay is because we know how the War Room treats these situations. By the letter of the law, it's legal. From the NHL Rulebook, as a refresher:
While the goal being waved off by the refs was a factor in the Canucks loss last night, their goalie Roberto Luongo was brutal and so was the Canucks penalty kill as well. Wild fans are probably smiling today.
You have to wonder if Andy Sutton (MTU) doesn't like his fellow WCHA alums as this is the second guy in a week that he took out with a tough legal hit. Former Gopher Jordan Leopold looks like he was out cold after running into the tree trunk that is Andy Sutton. Andy Sutton also destroyed former Sioux Drew Stafford with this hit.
Check out this hit; the Bruin's defenseman Johnny Boychuk lights up the Sabres Matt Ellis and smokes him like a cheap cigar. I think this might be the check of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far.
Some good news for Boston Bruins fans, Mark Savard skated today.
Marc Savard, symptom-free for over a week, skated on his own for the first time this morning and said he felt like his old self.
"I feel great," Savard said. "The biggest thing is that over the last seven days, I've had some great days."
Savard passed an exertion test yesterday. Savard plans to skate on his own again tomorrow morning, then undergo a neuro-psych test in the afternoon. If Savard passes, he will be cleared to return to practice, although he wasn't sure if he'd jump in with his teammates right away. Once he passes the test, it will be up to Savard and the training staff to determine when he's physically ready for game action.
"If you're asking me that, I'd like to play tonight," said Savard when asked if he could play in this series. "I've got to be realistic here and take the proper steps. I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful."
Savard acknowledged he's still not close to game shape, considering he hasn't been involved in any physical activity for over a month.
"He's been out for six weeks," Claude Julien said. "He's not been able to exercise. If you're going to be fair to the player and fair to the team, we've got to give him a chance to get back into shape. That doesn't happen overnight. That's why we've got to take it one step at a time and see how he does. Hopefully he continues to get better. The quicker it is, the better it is for everyone." [Boston Globe Hockey Blog]
So when you disagree with someone's point of view the best thing to do is resort to name calling and labeling. The social racial Sal Alinsky would be proud of Ms Hofmann; she probably has a copy of his book Rules for Radicals herself. Against my better judgment I am going to use this latest opinion piece to illustrate this point. This latest diatribe in today’s Herald is from one of SCSU’s self proclaimed Elite professors, let me make sure that I am getting this right. Sioux fans who like the logo are racist and miss informed, so we are just a bunch of uneducated rubges. So what about the Native Americans that support the Fighting Sioux nickname? I mean seriously the last thing we need is someone from SCSU lecturing us on race relations. SCSU is a university that has been marred by racial incidents.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Editors, publishers, sports fans and coaches are scratching their heads over the decision by the State Board of Higher Education to retire the UND logo and nickname.
They say they just don’t get it. They say they don’t understand what is going on with these tribal governments.
I agree. They don’t get it. I believe that they have no real concept of complex Dakota/Lakota/Nakota culture, tribal life or governance, nor do they comprehend the profound challenges in many tribal communities across the Dakotas.
They don’t understand because they haven’t had to understand. That is what privilege looks like.
Nickname supporters essentially have learned nothing about the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota people after all these decades of using their image and name for athletics at UND. All the claims of “learning” about these American Indian populations through the use of the nickname/logo would not earn most fans a passing grade.
They know little about how this issue has torn apart tribal communities in North Dakota and South Dakota. Nickname supporters likely are not aware of how groups have been pitted against each other over the nickname issue in terms of gender, age and districts within the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake nations. They don’t understand how the tribal governments have agonized over being put in this unenviable position of determining the fate of the nickname when it should have been the decision of the state board long ago.
Supporters also don’t identify the larger issues of race. They want to hang onto the image of the fighting warrior in some macho way. They don’t understand that the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota male “warrior “ was someone who was protecting his family and land from well-armed settlers and the military representing territorial interests.
It is a bloody, tragic history. It is time to stop memorializing — or even romanticizing — this image at athletics contests.
No one is learning anything at UND games about these genocidal atrocities. Could pro-nickname fans write even one coherent page on Dakota/Lakota/Nakota history and contemporary concerns that they would be willing to defend in a Native Studies course?
If UND has specific educational objectives or student outcomes linked to learning the history and culture of Indian people, then move this mission to a racial issues requirement within the General Education curriculum. That is where it belongs.
Students should be required to read deeply about Indian issues and dialogue about course content with skilled instructors.
The curriculum that has been learned at sporting events is a superficial or tourist approach to learning about Indian culture and arguably could be a lesson in bigotry and racism.
It seems that pro-nickname enthusiasts are not sincerely interested in learning the true history and contemporary issues affecting Dakota/Lakota/Nakota people but have used this as a ruse in defending the nickname and logo.
If pro-nickname UND fans honestly wanted to embrace and honor Indian culture, then they should abandon the one-dimensional image of the male warrior and learn the rich, diverse story of the Dakota/Lakota/Nakota people.
The UND logo and nickname do not tell this story any more than, for example, “Gone with the Wind” did for African Americans held in slavery in the antebellum South.
[Grand Forks Herald]
Oh my! First this is a perfect example for goalies and why they you should be ready to make a save at all times no matter what. Yeah, it sucks to be Dan Boyle. Funny, it reminds me of Steve Smith of the Edmonton Oiler's in 1986 who scored on his own net during game seven of the Stanley playoffs against the Calgary Flames.
This was the story that had everyone a buzz on twitter the last couple of days. I guess it's ok for Jacob C-Piss to attempt to be an agitator but not Ryan Walters? What the hell is that? I am sure someone will take him. One has got to think that Lucia isn't long for the University of Minnesota Hockey team.
Ryan Walters, a high-scoring forward for Des Moines of the USHL, has de-committed to the Gophers. Walters met with the Gophers coaches on Friday and was asked to play a third year of junior hockey and to be less of an agitator, according to his father.
Walters decided on Saturday that he will play college hockey somewhere else.
Walters, 18, committed to the Gophers in October of 2007 when he was a sophomore at St. Thomas Academy. He has played for Des Moines the past two seasons.
He had 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points this season, which puts him 12th in the league in scoring.
But the Gophers apparently did not have room on their 2010-11 roster for him. [Goal Gophers]
