Reaction to Fighting Sioux nickname

The lawsuit is over UND s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo is in the hands tribal leaders and the university The UND Fighting Sioux nickname has been a source of controversy for years But a settlement is reached today as North Dakota s Board of Higher education votes unanimously to end the legal fight over the nickname The school has untill November 30th 2010 to negotiate with Sioux tribes So there is a chance they could still keep the nickname and logo UND is still allowed use of the logo and nickname for three years United Tribes President Dr David Gipp sent out a statement today a portion of which says Language in the UND-NCAA lawsuit settlement indicates that the North Dakota Attorney General has not paid proper attention and due respect to the resolutions already passed by the tribes Allowing a three year period to influence the tribes leaves open the door for UND and its agents to continue their meddling in the social and political affairs of tribal nations causing untold damage in the lives of good people and families who only wish to have their ways and heritage respected Jim Poolman a UND allumni is disapointed in the boards decision but he says it s important that people respect the decision I started at the University of North Dakota almost 20 years ago and I have to tell ya it was a source of pride for many of us students that were up there but it also was a source of controversy even 20 years ago when I started school but to my in my opinion most students it was a source of pride and we took it very seriously Negotiations with the Tribes and the school will most likely be handled by state officials If the name is changed most Indian imagery will be removed from campus except for historical items and icons in the architecture That means almost all of the 2 200 Indian heads currently in Englestad Arena will be removed