Would it matter to anyone here that the Oceti Sakowin Hunkpapa Elders (Standing Rock Sioux) have gone on record supporting use of the "Fighting Sioux" moniker at UND? They have.

Can you cite this "record"? I can cite their opposition here: http://www.und.nodak.edu/president/name.html "The Fighting Sioux team name and logo at the University of North Dakota An historical and contextual summary by David Vorland, Assistant to the President", web published by the office of Dr. Charles E. Kupchella, President, University of North Dakota.

From this article: "Shortly after the beginning of the Kendall Baker administration (1992-1999), an ugly incident occurred when a number of white students hurled epithets at a group of Native American children in traditional dance regalia who were riding a Homecoming float.(3) During the subsequent controversy, the *Standing Rock tribal council* requested that UND change the team name, and the University Senate approved a resolution opposing continued use of the Fighting Sioux name."

Also: "It is clear, however, that the *Standing Rock Tribal Council* was the first to ask UND to change the name, in a formal tribal resolution dated December 3, 1992 (and affirmed on December 2, 1998). The UND President's Office also received and has on file six other resolutions from tribal councils requesting a name change, all of them seemingly generated in response to appeals by a UND student advocacy organization. The resolutions include those of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Yankton Sioux Tribe, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.(7)"

In reference to the Standing Rock Tribe, I also offer this article dated Jaunary 18, 2001: "Nickname issue: Tribal council assails ed board's action Business boycott approved; UND boycott considered."

The Standing Rock Tribal Council condemned Tuesday a December action by the state Board of Higher Education that retains UND's Fighting Sioux nickname." http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2001/01/18/news/MB118RESOL.htm

Also see this list: "Some tribal governments and organizations that have called for an end to the 'Fighting Sioux' name": http://www.und.edu/dept/nativemedia/change.html#tribal

Furthermore, for those who mistakenly believe that the "Fighting Sioux" nickname was adopted with American Indian input there is this from the above cited Kupchella page: "In 1930, after the adoption by the then North Dakota Agricultural College of the nickname 'Bison' and "a campaign led by the student newspaper," the University's Athletic Board of Control adopted the name 'Sioux.'"

I highly recommend to all interested parties in this debate that they read this official summary of the issue for a dispassionate view of the facts.

-- Rebekah Morrigan, host, Indian Country Perspectives Forum http://forums.delphi.com/NDNviewpoint/start (posted 3/5, 9:45 a.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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