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The University of North Dakota “Sioux” nickname made its debut more than 74 years ago, in the autumn of 1930. The “Sioux” nickname became the staple of the University of North Dakota officially on October 2, 1930. In the Friday, October 3, 1930, edition of the Dakota Student, UND’s student newspaper, featured a front-page banner headline, “Sioux’ Replaces ‘Flickertail’ as Caption of University Sport Teams.” An article in that issue reported, “At convocation yesterday morning (which would have been October 2, 1930), the official announcement was made that the Athletic Board of Control had conducted the rites of changing the name and had given their sanction to the abolition of Flickertail and to the enactment of the Sioux.” The name was chosen because the area of the Dakotas was once part of the Sioux Nation. UND was founded in 1883 in the Dakota Territory, six years before North Dakota became a state. The Sioux were born brave warriors. Their name connotes courage, honor, overcoming adversity, pride, and victory. The “Fighting” reference was instigated in the mid-1960s by then UND Sports Information Director Lee Bohnet. The “Fighting Sioux” has been represented graphically in a variety of different ways, but nothing stable seemed to come into use until the late 1960s when the Chicago Blackhawk logo was adopted, primarily for hockey. What is termed the “geometric” logo was introduced in 1976 and was applied to most athletic activities. UND’s use of the Blackhawk logo was discontinued in 1993. The new Indian head logo, designed by UND Alumnus and Native American artist Bennet Brien, went into use with the advent of the 2001-2002 athletic season. The 2001-2002 athletics season was also the inaugural season of the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The University of North Dakota is the home of the Fighting Sioux.  UND officially adopted the name of the Fighting Sioux in the 1930’s because the Sioux Warriors were the most courageous of all warriors.  The great Sioux Nation epitomized honor, courage, pride, overcoming adversity and winning battles.  All fans in Ralph Engelstad Arena are asked to cheer your team to victory and exhibit good sportsmanship, as well as respect the American Indians and their proud and honored culture and heritage.

Recent News on the Sioux Logo

Published October 1 2009 Board votes to extend Fighting Sioux nickname deadline 30 days By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald The State Board of Higher Education today extended its deadline for UND's Fighting Sioux nickname to Oct. 31.This would give the Standing Rock tribe time to tell the board if it intends to issue a referendum, according to board members. The deadline is one the state-imposed on itself to win approval for the nickname from the state's two Sioux tribes, which is a condition of the settlement with the NCAA. The NCAA considers American Indian nicknames to be derogatory. The official deadline according to the settlement is February 2010, but the board moved it up so UND could apply to join the Summit League earlier. If no tribal approval comes, UND would have until November to transition out of the nickname. So far, Spirit Lake voters and its Tribal Council have approved of the nickname. The Standing Rock tribe has not voted and its Tribal Council have refused a referendum. A new council is in place after elections on Wednesday.

Published October 01 2009 Murphy defeats His Horse Is Thunder in Standing Rock election By: Associated Press FORT YATES, N.D. - Former Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Charles Murphy has easily defeated incumbent Ron His Horse Is Thunder to win back the job. Unofficial results show Murphy received 64 percent of the votes in the tribe's general election Wednesday, to 36 percent for His Horse Is Thunder. More than 1,900 people voted. The reservation straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border. The chairman's race ended up before a tribal judge earlier, when a candidate who finished third in the tribe's primary election in July was denied another chance to get on the ballot. Only the top two vote-getters in the primary advance, and His Horse Is Thunder finished one vote ahead of the third-place candidate.

Published September 27 2009 Standing Rock Sioux's voices must be heard By Steve Fool Bear FORT YATES, N.D. — Some believe that the issue of the Fighting Sioux nickname at UND issue is a cause that should be decided by an outspoken few. But that idea completely contradicts the fundamental principles of our civilization: majority rule and democracy. Only on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation do the people have to fight for what is rightfully theirs — a democratic vote. When an issue such as the nickname arises, and our “democratic” officials fail to represent the people, the people will represent themselves. And the only cartoon characters I see around here are those posing as leaders, those without the backbone to stand up for the majority. Apparently, balanced research and common sense are beyond their comprehension. Because despite all the evidence built up revealing the true opinion of our people, these “posers” still stand against UND, full of excuses and self-pitying rhetoric. The true power of a democratic nation lies not in its leaders but in its masses. A simple question should be posed to every candidate for tribal office: “Do you believe in democracy, and will you give your people their vote?” It is a very simple question that requires a simple answer. These “leaders” call themselves proud Indians and true to our traditions, then state that the Canupa ceremony conducted in 1969 giving UND the right to use the “Fighting Sioux” name “doesn’t count,” as if it never happened. It happened, ladies and gentleman, and it cannot be undone, no matter how traditional critics think they are. Anyone who grew up with, understands and respects our traditions and ceremonies knows this. Anyone who says we can “pick and choose” hasn’t a clue. If anyone wants proof this ceremony occurred, documentation of the event and witnesses who attended it available. Our family can be contacted at any time for this info. It is ridiculous for a person to claim to be a traditionalist, then to disregard our sacred ceremony because of a disagreement with the UND nickname. I do give credit to those voting council members who have been consistent and diligent in getting this issue on a ballot. In my eyes, they are true leaders and are listening to the people whom they’re entrusted to represent. I applaud them, and I urge them to be patient. The current “traditionalist clique” is on its way out. We hear ridiculous language relating to the nickname — references to a “genocide of our culture,” claims that “real Indians are against the logo” and so on. Apparently, if you use your common sense, form your own opinion and dare to disagree with these overzealous irrationals, then you’re not a real Indian. I will not say that if a person is against the logo, he or she is wrong. We all have a right to our opinion, and democracy protects this right. But I will say that if a person is against a vote of the people, then he or she is wrong. We are not a Communist dictatorship where the ego-driven few control the many. We live in a democratic society, which means the majority decides. So, the nickname — the most debatable topic in recent decades — is more than ballot worthy. And opponents must not claim they’re fighting oppression, then seek to oppress the voices of their own people. Those opponents can share their reasons why UND’s nickname should go; we’ve heard them all. But the fact of the matter is that common sense is prevailing. The tide is turning, and the opponents are on a sinking ship. If their movement wishes to end democracy on Standing Rock to avoid the inevitable revelation that Standing Rock voters favor UND, then so be it. Let’s terminate our current system of government and re-implement our “traditional” warrior society. Then, we’ll see whose voices are heard. Fool Bear is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Published September 18 2009 Spirit Lake approves 'perpetual' use of Sioux nickname By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald The Spirit Lake Tribal Council issued a new resolution Friday that gives UND the “perpetual” use of the Fighting Sioux nickname, nickname supporters from the reservation said. In a statement, Eunice Davidson, a pro-nickname activist, said she felt that a previous resolution of support had been misconstrued by nickname opponents. The new resolution would leave no doubt where the Tribal Council stood, she said. Nickname opponents had said the earlier resolution merely said there was an election and a majority of tribal members supported the nickname — 67 percent voted “yes” in April — but did not state that the council was also behind the nickname. The new resolution left little room for doubt. A key provision says: “The Tribal Council hereby amends tribal resolution No. A05-09-186 and affirmatively approves and supports UND’s use of the current nickname and related imagery, and hereby confirms Spirit Lake Tribe’s full permission for UND to continue using the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the duration of this authorization shall be perpetual commencing Oct. 1, 2009.” The council also added this: “UND is entrusted with the responsibility of working cooperatively with the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe to increase the number of Native American graduates from Spirit Lake and to create a Native American program on UND campus which will bring about an air of respect and understanding amongst all students, faculty and staff at UND.” Opponents’ views Before the new resolution, Spirit Lake nickname opponents had hoped they would be able to get the council to reverse its support. One of them, Terry Morgan, said Thursday that opponents would meet this weekend and mobilize for a meeting with the council next week. But Friday night, on hearing news of the new resolution, Erich Longie, another nickname opponent, said, “Maybe this is a sign they’re saying they don’t want to meet with us.” He rested his hopes on future councils, he said. The resolution might say “perpetual,” but he said resolutions aren’t perpetual, meaning future councils could issue new resolutions opposing the nickname. Nickname opponents will never quit, he said, and will work toward another referendum to get voters to oppose the nickname. If that one doesn’t succeed, he said, opponents would put out another referendum. “We will not quit until we get the results we want” Davidson was not available Friday. Her statement was issued through Ralph Engelstad Arena, which also supports the nickname. ‘Hostile and abusive’ Under the settlement between the state and the NCAA, which considers American Indian nicknames to be “hostile and abusive,” UND has to win approval from the state’s two Sioux tribes. It has until February to do that, but the State Board of Higher Education had moved the deadline up to Oct. 1. The board also required a 30-year agreement allowing use of the nickname from both tribes. Board member Grant Shaft, who effectively has the nickname portfolio, said a binding agreement between the state and the tribes is what the board wants. This is necessary because resolutions can be undone by future councils, which would force UND to go through the same struggle it’s going through now, he said. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, whose interpretation Shaft said the board would defer to, has said he believes a resolution giving authorization for a certain period of time is sufficient to satisfy the NCAA settlement. Standing Rock nickname supporters are working on a petition to get the council there to issue a referendum on the nickname, but they will not be ready by the Oct. 1 deadline. They asked the state board to extend the deadline Thursday, but the board did not comment one way or the other.

Published September 17 2009 Nickname supporters, opponents speak to state board about Oct. 1 deadline By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald  The deadline for UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname was not on the agenda at the State Board of Higher Education meeting Thursday at UND, but that didn’t stop nickname opponents and supporters from speaking to the board about it. Supporters want the board to extend the deadline beyond Oct. 1, saying Standing Rock tribal members want to vote on it even though the Tribal Council doesn’t want to. The council could change drastically after the Sept. 30 election, so that vote could happen, they said. “Three months, we can get this issue on the ballot and resolved,” tribal member Steve Fool Bear said. Opponents say the board should stick by its original decision on the deadline. “You made a promise. Keep that promise. Keep that deadline,” said Spirit Lake tribal member Erich Longie. The state board accepted without comment the input, which took place during the public comment period and so required no action. Board member Grant Shaft, who essentially has the nickname portfolio, has said he thinks the board wouldn’t extend the deadline unless it appeared that Standing Rock was very close to showing support for the nickname. The support of the state’s two Sioux tribes is needed for UND to keep the nickname under the settlement with the NCAA, which considers American Indian nicknames “hostile and abusive.” Spirit Lake’s Tribal Council issued a resolution earlier this month recognizing that a “significant majority” of voters supported the nickname. Nickname opponent Terry Morgan told the Herald he and his allies will be lobbying the council to reverse its decision next week. They’ll also gather petitions for a referendum to oppose the nickname, he said. Vote or no vote? Democracy was a big theme during discussion of the nickname. It started when Longie said that even though the majority voted for the nickname, the majority doesn’t fully understand the issue. All Spirit Lake members who have degrees from UND and are “in a position of power” are against the nickname, he said, because they know that it inspires racism on campus. He has three degrees himself and has felt the sting of discrimination, he said. Those who oppose the nickname have not set foot on campus other than to go to some sporting events, he said. Fool Bear said he’s been to UND and has friends attending, and they don’t agree with Longie. “You can say I have 10 degrees from UND and that’s why my opinion matters more,” he said. “But we don’t live in that society. We live in a democracy.” Steve Fool Bear’s father, Archie Fool Bear, asked the state board to give Standing Rock more time for the sake of democracy. “The tribal government needs to let the people speak. I just ask you guys to respect that.” Ron His Horse is Thunder, the tribal chairman, disputed that portrayal. “Yes, in America and in the reservations, we do live in a democracy,” he said. “It’s a representative form of democracy. We choose elected leaders to voice the opinion of the people.” Representatives talk to constituents, he said, which is why they voted 9-3 not to hear a request from Fool Bear to issue a referendum. Nickname supporters, though, generally believe that a majority at Standing Rock support the nickname just as a majority at Spirit Lake does. But there, a petition resulted in a referendum. Standing Rock nickname supporters are still working on their petition.   Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder addresses the State Board of Education

Published September 16 2009 Spirit Lake issues nickname resolution By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald UND Fighting Sioux logo   The Spirit Lake Tribal Council has approved a resolution recognizing the tribe’s support of UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname. According to nickname opponent Terry Morgan, whose mother is tribal Chairwoman Myra Pearson, confirmed that the council did make the decision. He said that rather than embracing the nickname, the council simply acknowledged the vote. In the tribe’s April election, 67 percent of tribal members voted to support the nickname. It was part of an effort by nickname supporters to win the council’s blessings for the controversial nickname. The settlement between UND and the NCAA, which consider American Indian nicknames to be hostile and abusive, requires the university to win formal support from councils at Spirit Lake and Standing Rock. Morgan said he doesn’t believe the resolution is the support UND needs at all. The resolution itself has this to say: “Now therefore be it resolved that the Tribal Council goes on record to officially accept election results of April 23, 2009, for University of North Dakota logo and name retention.” “Be it further resolved that the Tribal Council concurs with the wishes of the Spirit Lake people.” The resolution also said that “a significant majority of the membership voted in favor of allowing UND to continue using the Fighting Sioux name and logo.” Nickname supporters at Spirit Lake say they think the resolution is exactly what the NCAA wanted. State Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who negotiated the settlement with the NCAA, concurs. Considering the contentious nature of the issue, to have a tribal council go on record supporting the nickname is a “significant event,” said Jody Hodgson, general manager of Ralph Engelstad Arena. Standing Rock nickname supporters have so far been unable to convince their Tribal Council to authorize a referendum on the nickname and, with two weeks to go before the election Sept. 30, it’s unlikely they’ll get the referendum. Oct. 1 is the deadline for UND to get tribal support. The settlement says support has to come by February 2010 or UND will have to begin transitioning to a new nickname by November 2010. The State Board of Higher Education, however, moved the deadline to Oct. 1. The board meets today at UND, but the nickname is not on its agenda. Nickname supporters and opponents hoping to speak to the board say they’ve been told they won’t get a chance to get on the agenda. State Board member Grant Shaft has said it’s not impossible that the board allow an extension, but that depends on how much progress tribal councils make.

September 14 2009 Some nickname advice for UND By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald Last week, when UND Provost Paul LeBel e-mailed faculty members reminding them to not let emotions get the better of them even as the Fighting Sioux nickname controversy twists and turns, what he was doing was heeding the advice of an informal committee formed in April. Bob Boyd, vice president of student and outreach services, convened that committee to help him get a grip on how the university might deal with the issue over the next several months. The work of the committee is apparently still in draft form — Boyd characterized it as undergoing changes daily — but President Robert Kelley has read parts of it and Boyd has briefed him. An overriding concern, Boyd said, was how to prevent the issue from fracturing the UND community, whether it keeps the nickname or not. LeBel’s e-mail was part of that, he said, as are the briefings he gave to the student and faculty senates, all of which stress core values such as respect and understanding. The group also considered what would happen if some in the community aren’t respectful or understanding. Boyd said the president, in being briefed, also asked if security was adequate, just in case. Admittedly, keeping the nickname was considered to be potentially less trouble than losing it, according to Peter Johnson, who heads the university relations office and sat in on the committee meetings. The committee was made up of students, two of whom are American Indians; a UND official; an alumnus; an area resident and a representative from the athletics department. For the most part, they were not picked for having strong or clear opinions on one side of the issue or another, according to Boyd. Sensitive issue Reflecting the sensitivity of the issue, Boyd stressed that the committee, now disbanded, was for his edification and was in no way a precursor to a transition committee that the state would ask the president to form should the nickname go away. That is, UND is not preparing for a transition because that’s both out of its control — the State Board of Higher Education is in charge — and unknowable — it depends on whether the state’s namesake tribes give the nickname their blessings. Boyd said neither he nor the committee spoken with SBHE members, responding to queries whether the committee might have influenced the board in some small measure. “That would be incredible inappropriate,” he said. In fact, the draft report the committee produced was more like a list of general concerns than any specific transition plan, he said, because the committee to work on that would have to be convened by the president. The committee didn’t, for example, address any process for adopting a new nickname, he said. Still, Boyd’s committee was so worried about being seen as trying to influence the issue, he said, that it resolved to stop meeting in May after the SBHE tightened the deadline to receive those blessings to Oct. 1. The state’s settlement with the NCAA, which considers Indian nicknames offensive, said the deadline is February 2010. By August, with the deadline looming, Boyd said he realized he couldn’t not have any advice ready for the president and reconvened the committee. “It’s a very fine line that we’re walking,” he said. “Several of us are obviously in a position where we’re expected to provide leadership and advisement to the president and the university community. And you don’t do that without being as thoughtful and informed as possible.” By this he meant himself and the previous provost, who thought of forming the informal committee.

September 11, 2009 AG: State may move nickname deadline By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is suggesting the state push back the deadline for UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname past Oct. 1. “I hope they do push back that deadline,” he said. “The purpose of that settlement that we reached with the NCAA was designed to assure the tribes that they would have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the use of the nickname.” He said he’d heard rumors to the effect that the State Board of Higher Education would, in fact, consider such a move when it meets at UND next Thursday. But his sources indicated the board might only move the deadline a few weeks, he said, which wouldn’t be enough time for the tribes to work with. The board had voted in May to impose an Oct. 1 deadline even though the settlement with the NCAA gives UND until February to win support for use of the nickname from the state’s two Sioux tribes. The NCAA considers Indian nicknames to be racist, as does a number of American Indians. Many Indians, however, take pride in such nicknames. Spirit Lake, one of the two tribes, voted in April on the nickname, and 67 percent of voters supported UND’s use of it. Nickname supporters at Standing Rock think they’ll get the same results if allowed a vote, but the Tribal Council has so far refused to let it happen. Recently, Archie Fool Bear, a leader among nickname supporters there, said flat out that he will not be able to get anything done with the present council and would, therefore, not meet the Oct. 1 deadline. Stenehjem said the political situation is ripe for change there as the Sept. 30 tribal election approaches, meaning a more supportive Tribal Council could be in place. The new council members will need more than a few weeks to work on the nickname issue, he said. But besides a council resolution of support, which may come because of a public vote or not, the state board also required tribes sign a 30-year agreement with UND to settle the nickname issue on a long-term basis. Stenehjem said he doesn’t think that agreement is necessary. The state board thinks it is but the settlement doesn’t require it, he said. The board’s concern was that, without a timeframe, the issue would come back to haunt UND time and again as nickname opponents fight on. Not so, Stenehjem said. “The folks I talked to said if they give their approval, they’re giving their approval and they shouldn’t think it’s for a temporary period of time.”

April 21 2009 Spirit Lake voters overwhelmingly support Fighting Sioux nickname By: Tu-Uyen Tran, Grand Forks Herald Jake Lenoir, left, Wesley Big Track, center, and Jeff Whiteshield, background, watch for pike in a stream on the Spirit Lake Reservation on Tuesday. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.   FORT TOTTEN, N.D. — Spirit Lake voters apparently overwhelmingly support UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname in a referendum Tuesday. Late Tuesday, the Herald was still trying to verify the results with election judges. But nickname supporter Eunice Davidson said her source at the ballot counting site said the unofficial results are 774 “yes” to 378 “no,” giving the nickname 67 percent of the vote. Some voters wore apparel bearing the word “Sioux” in UND green or the Indian head logo used by the university’s hockey team, the very things that nickname opponents have called racist and demeaning. And those who wore the supposedly offensive symbols weren’t even doing it to make a point. They said that’s just what they wear because they like and are even proud of the nickname. “I’m so happy,” Davidson said. “I know the campaign we run we tried to stay on the positive side, didn’t try to run anybody down.” One anti-nickname organizer Erich Longie had earlier said he didn’t think his side would prevail because it hadn’t had enough time to educate voters, which includes accusing pro-nickname organizers of getting financial support from Ralph Engelstad Arena, the home of the UND hockey team. The arena and nickname supporters say that’s simply not true. Terry Morgan, a key anti-nickname organizer, said his side just didn’t have enough time. He’d recently gone to a pro-nickname household, he said, shared information and converted them. “If I could honestly sit down with a lot of people, I could talk a lot of people out of it,” Morgan said. He’s not sure what nickname opponents will do next, he said, but they’ll still keep fighting. Some voters who the Herald spoke with either said they didn’t care what opponents had to say or had heard and were unconvinced. The nickname would still need the support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe if UND is to keep it. That’s the main condition of a settlement between the university and the NCAA, which opposes Indian mascots. Standing Rock nickname supporters say they’re working to win their tribe’s approval, but the Tribal Council has resisted a referendum. Sioux pride Jake Lenoire and his two fishing buddies were typical of the voters on Tuesday. On the hoodie that he wore were two Indian head logos, one big one at the chest and a smaller one on the hood. He had the day off because of the primary election and he was planning to go vote after catching enough pike with a big homemade spear. It seemed almost a coincidence that he’d be wearing the logo on the very day that he was to decide whether his tribe would support the Fighting Sioux nickname. But when asked about it, he just shrugged. The nickname’s been around a long time and he sees no reason to change it, he said. “Most people I know like it. Just a handful of people around here don’t like it.” “That’s all we’re voting on today; keep that nickname,” said Wesley Big Track, one of Lenoir’s fishing buddies. “After I get my limit, I’ll go vote there.” Five and half miles down the road at the Fort Totten District’s polling station, Alex Greywater IV, wearing a Sioux baseball jersey, was hanging out with his father. “I didn’t even know they were voting on that thing there until I went in,” the son said, when asked why he was wearing the jersey. He voted for the nickname, he said, because he likes it. Asked why so many people were wearing Fighting Sioux gear, Morgan, the nickname opponent, suggested that it was because they were being given away by the local KABU radio station, which pro-nickname organizer John Chaske runs. Chaske earlier said he just gets freebies from all over and gives them away to promote the station. Some nickname opponents had complained that the word Sioux is derived from a derogatory term given to them by their enemies. It’s supposed to mean “snake in the grass.” “I feel great pride in it,” Tamara Belgarde said. “We all know where the Sioux word comes from. We all know who gave it to us. But … we’ve managed to turn it into a really proud name.” “I’m proud of it,” said Alex Greywater III. Why? “I’m a Sioux,” he said with a grin. No campus hostility One of the problems nickname opponents had had with a referendum was they felt most voters could not appreciate the hostile environment they felt on the UND campus. Yet, voters the Herald spoke with said they’d been on campus or knew someone who attended UND and that was not the case Anissa Red Tomahawk said she attended UND and never experienced anything hostile. “Not once.” “I guess if they’re worried about the prejudice and name-calling,” she said, “whether it’s the Fighting Sioux or not they’re still going to do it so I just say leave it alone.” While living in Grand Forks in 1994 and 1995, Tamara Belgarde said she took her cousin’s kids to lots of UND games and never felt insulted. “I never ever saw any UND student act in a derogatory manner in any way,” she said. “I did occasionally see some of the opponents, their teams acting in a derogatory way. But never once did I see a UND student act in a derogatory way.” Belgarde isn’t blind to racism. She said she’s experienced it in Devils Lake and so has her fiancé. But the Fighting Sioux nickname just isn’t racist to her, she said. She’d attended a rally that nickname opponents held, she said, but, after thinking about what she heard and talking about it with her fiancé, she still voted for the nickname. Greywater III said he’d seen the fliers that nickname opponents passed out, including one that showed images from a 2007 UND sorority party where participants wore loincloths and war paint and one that quoted Ralph Engelstad supposedly using a racial slur against Indians. “I didn’t bother with it,” Greywater III said, waving a hand as if pushing them away. His nephew attends UND, he said, and he’d never heard of any harassment. Morgan said he believes voters like these are victims. “I’m not that educated to name exact terminology to label people like that, but I think these are people that have been oppressed all their lives, that they don’t have to be first class citizens in this country,” Morgan said. “That’s not the message we’re trying to get across.” “This is never going to be over. We’ll think of something,” said anti-nickname organizer Longie.