Logo Debate: Group protests Fighting Sioux logo and nickname

As UND heads into it's exploratory year of the Division I transition and as hockey season begins, the Fighting Sioux logo debate continues to be a hot issue on campus. For over 30 years, the issue has plagued this campus since Native Americans started attending the university.

Recently, members of BRIDGES, Building Roads in Diverse Groups Empowering Students, have begun standing in the quad behind the Chester Fritz Library and at recent football games in protest to the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname.

"We felt like we were quiet for a long time with the NCAA stuff going on," said junior Amber Annis. "We were kind of laying low especially because we knew that tensions were going to be high and people were going to be angry. But we wanted to raise our voices again and make sure that people were reminded that there is still a group of us that are still concerned."

As a member of the Lakota Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Annis has been involved in several recent protests that challenge students to "realize that it is offensive." They have been carrying signs and posters that read "People, not Logos" and handing out pamphlets that outline several on-campus and national institutions and departments that oppose the logo and the nickname associated with UND.

Annis noted that it has come to the point that it extends far beyond the prejudice and racism associated with the name. "I find it offensive now because it's come to the point where it's about control and it's about money. There is something serious going on and the public is not aware of that and they're not aware of some of the things going on."

In a recent Grand Forks Herald article, several comments were made regarding the logo and the nickname. Supporters of the logo made their opinions heard on the online version of the story where they were able to anonymously post their comments.

"If you see the comments that people have said, they're offensive," she said. "They're racist comments. I know not everyone is that way, but even if there are those few that feel that way towards native people, then that's a problem that needs to be addressed."

She noted that the climate centered on the nickname and the logo is a heated one and therefore, she and the other members of BRIDGES have decided to simply make their voices heard without being an "aggressive force."

As far as creating a new name, Annis said, "It's something that needs to be discussed with the fans and the people who love the sports and the program. It needs to be a school and community-involved process."

Annis and the group said that they would continue to protest around campus and just want students to realize that the issue is still on the forefront of many people's minds. "It has been a 30 year debate and 30 years of people asking UND to change the name; we don't like it, we find it offensive, people should respect that," Annis said.

The UND logo and nickname was adopted in 1930. While the issue with the NCAA is still being debated in court, BRIDGES and other protesters have no intention of stopping and have plans for further debates throughout the rest of the semester.