Standing Rock Tribal Council visits UND to explain decision

The Standing Rock Tribal Council met on campus Tuesday morning for a panel meeting to discuss their renewed resolution, which is non-supportive of the UND nickname. The council members met at the American Indian Student Services building and voiced their opinions of why they oppose the nickname. They also offered a question and answer session for attendees. UND Indian Association President B.J. Rainbow opened the meeting, introducing the four tribal council members. He then performed a 'thank you song' along with UND student Loren Henry. After that, statements were made by all four of the tribal representatives. Several other issues were addressed at the meeting. Problems faced on reservations and the lack of public education about Native American historical figures were discussed, along with the council's stance on the Sioux moniker. Tribal Chairman Ron His Horse is Thunder stated that Standing Rock has many other issues that they are battling, and that the time spent on the nickname debate was not lengthy. "We do have a host of other issues that we need to spend time on and that we do spend time on. We don't spend very much time at all on this issue," he said. "But the world doesn't hear about that, they hear about this (Sioux nickname)." His Horse is Thunder stressed the point that "this image, this Fighting Sioux logo is one image of what we were." "The rest of the world that does not get to interact with us, they see one image of who we were, that is what this UND Fighting Sioux logo does," he said. "It perpetuates that one image of who we were, it doesn't give them the true encompassing image of who we are today." He also discussed the discrimination that UND Native American students face while at the university. "We come here to get an education, we come here to expand our horizons and to go beyond the modern world," he said. "Our children, when they come shouldn't be asked what they think about the UND logo, they shouldn't be asked to make a choice." His Horse is Thunder also believe that all students, not just Native Americans on campus, need to be educated in an unbiased environment. "They should come here (UND) and come to an environment that is neutral. They shouldn't have to choose between one side or the other and then have to fight for it," he said.

Uncontrollable An item that the council brought up was that university officials have no control over the derogatory statements and signage produced by the fans of opposing teams. "The way it is actually used, which this institution has no control over, is a shame," His Horse is Thunder said. "Having to see signs with derogatory statements and continuing to be the whipping dog for our opponents is unnecessary." One of the council members, Avis Little Eagle, shared the same sentiments, stating that the university has no control over the fans or 'fanatics' that attend the games. "No matter what people say, what would really tell in the heart is the fans and they don't have to listen to UND and don't have to honor anyone," she said. "It will always be that way." Also at the meeting was council member Jesse Taken Alive, who spoke of respecting all peoples and how that wasn't possible by keeping a historical name that doesn't represent the Lakota, Dakota people. "How damaging it is to be treated as a mascot, a logo," he said. "We want this to be the last mimicry or mockery by sport." He also stated that the image is colonizing the Lakota, Dakota people and not looking at who they really are. "If you can take away the money and the image and look at what this is really about, we are being treated as human doings, not human beings," the council member stated. Taken Alive also requested that attendees of the meeting help them spread the message of what was stated. Council Member David Gipp, who was a UND student from 1965-1969, was also at the panel. He discussed the minimal importance that the nickname has for students. "College is not just about sports," he said. "The quality of education is what will be taken with them, not a moniker." Gipp also encouraged people to look at this as moving into the future. "This is the time to make change," he said. "Standards change, which is why we need to do that as well."

NCAA settlement Due to the agreement made in the lawsuit settlement between UND and the NCAA, the school has until 2011 to make significant changes to the nickname, which is too long a time according to the panel. "They have three years for what? What are they going to do in that time?" Gipp asked. Taken Alive said that they would invite anyone to come to their home and discuss with them, but posed the question, "Are we as humans for sale?" His Horse is Thunder also agreed, and thought that visits to persuade the council to change their minds "would be a waste of time." The council said they understood that many of the derogatory acts that dishonor the nickname have not occurred for a while, but that they could still occur. "The chance of them coming back exists with the logo still here," Taken Alive said. The council also addressed the commonly used argument that since they do not refer to themselves as the Sioux anymore, they shouldn't care too much if the name is used. The council believes that the name still harbors a history and officials can do nothing to change that except stop using the name. "We were once known as Sioux to everyone around us," His Horse is Thunder said. "We are still know as Sioux to everyone around us and we want to be known as Lakota, Nakota and Dakota to everyone around us." He compared their struggle to change their name to that of African Americans, who went through a long struggle to be known by a more respectful name.

NDUS The Standing Rock Tribal Council and UND both have no control as to whether the name stays or goes, which is ultimately up to the State Board of Higher Education. The council members urged the board to change the image and choose one that the whole state could be proud of, such as the Roughriders which His Horse is Thunder suggested. Council member Gipp also urged that the changes need to be made soon, and the NDUS needs to be a part. "They have until 2011, which is ample time to make change, but today is the day to do that," he said. The council supplied attendees of the meeting with a rewritten resolution that resounds their previous declaration of no support for the nickname. In the resolution, the council voted against the nickname 8-1 on Nov. 9. After the panel, a lunch was held that President Charles Kupchella attended. He also spoke with the council members, but was unable to attend the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. Vice President for Student and Outreach Services Bob Boyd and some Ralph Engelstad Arena Board members were present at the meeting.