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GRAND FORKS -- I would like to say thank you to UND President Charles Kupchella and the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. In its attempt to put an end to the Sioux name/logo controversy and "to engage the campus in moving forward," the board has given this dispute exactly what it needed: the momentum and national attention required to dismantle institutionally racist practices at UND. In a column written by Doug Grow and published by the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Jan. 17, Grow writes that UND "sold its soul" to Engelstad, "a power-buying benefactor," who made a name for himself not only as a successful businessman, but also as a man fascinated by Nazi memorabilia (which he collected) who threw parties on Adolf Hitler's birthday. I extend my gratitude to the decision-makers in this affair for giving me, and so many others nationwide, the impetus to ensure that this issue does not fade and that we do not "move on" until Native Americans are afforded the respect, dignity and honor they have requested -- time and time again As a graduate of UND and a resident of Grand Forks, I am appalled by the state Board of Higher Education's failure to see this as a human rights issue. I am sickened by President Kupchella's inability to defend the deliberative process and conduct himself in a way that is respectful to Native American people. (I am, however, rather impressed by his ability to talk out of both sides of his mouth). And finally, I am ashamed to have given my loyalty and support to an institution that disregards the value of human dignity, diversity and respect.Erin McCallum Engelstad's real concern:Competition from Indian gaming GRAND FORKS -- It is not surprising that Ralph Engelstad was feeling threatened by Native Americans. His letter to the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is living proof that he, like Donald Trump before him, is noticing that Indian gaming is an economic advantage for those tribes that exercise their sovereign rights by developing gaming businesses on reservations. It is no secret that tribes are required to negotiate with their respective (and I use that term loosely here) states in order to receive approval from the federal gaming commission. Engelstad makes the mistake, however, of looking like a bigot when he should be embracing these tribes, because there is nothing he can do to stop the power behind federal laws mandating tribal sovereign immunity. His issue with the logo at UND does not stem from some far-fetched notion of honor, respect and loyalty to the school, but from a deep-seated hatred for the people who are most threatening to his business instincts. Take a long, hard look at the history of tribes in federal courthouses, fighting people such as Engelstad and Trump. Trump has come to know that he cannot win this battle, despite the millions of dollars he may have to put into a long legal war that cannot change history. Engelstad should buck up and bite the bullet himself. How horrid that this all should come to light on the eve of a nation celebrating a hero's birthday! Martin Luther King Jr. would have had something to add to our fight for peace.Monique Vondall Grand Forks should be thanking Engelstad GRAND FORKS -- I have never seen so much negative mail as I have on the new arena. Ralph Engelstad is giving a very large gift to UND, and we should be giving a great thank-you. Instead, all we see are the complaints. This is a state-owned institution, paid for by the taxpayers of this state. Who is paying the way for these complainers? We should be proud of our university. We see no wrong in the logo, and thank you very much, Ralph Engelstad, for the gift.Lloyd Staveteig There's a word for UND's nickname use: exploitation GRAND FORKS -- As expected, there has been a rash of letters both in support and in outcry over the recent "revelations" regarding Ralph Engelstad. I use the sarcastic quotes around revelations as the publication of Engelstad's letter to Kupchella only has confirmed what advocates for changing the name and logo have known all along: It's all about money instead of morality, made clear by the tenor of the pro-Engelstad letters printed in the Herald. To me, the nature of the argument is that $100 million is far more important than the rights of the minority. The minority apparently should be honored that a man such as Engelstad would build a $100 million facility and then be so kind as to fill the arena with supporters enthusiastically cheering their name! But it's not about that, folks. Those people aren't cheering for the actual Sioux. They're cheering for the usurpers of the rightful owners of the name, the people who have stolen an identity, caricaturized it and made it into a brand name. (Order your "Sioux-per Special" or sign your kids up for the "Sioux Kids Club." I do wonder if one has to prove lineage to be a member of that club.) There is a word for this: exploitation, "to make unethical use of for one's own profit." Native Americans have every right to feel offended and marginalized as they are being treated like a poker chip, another token used to gamble your way to a profit. Looks like the house has the odds, and the deck stacked in their favor. Nathan Teske Teske is a student at UND. Deep down, you know keeping nickname is wrong THOMPSON, N.D. -- Although never a varsity athlete, in the late 1960s, I was a Grand Forks Central Redskin and very proud of it. We had the tom-toms, war cries, cheerleaders in war paint and a teacher who even showed up at pep rallies in buckskins now and then. The evidence of these practices is all on file in yearbooks of that era. It was both electrifying and a heck of a lot of fun. There were two things, however, that I don't believe any of us truly were aware of at that time. The first was that all the pride we felt was borrowed without permission from Native American peoples. Perhaps, we should have called ourselves the Norskies, Limeys, Shamrocks or Huns, because that's who we really were. The second was that we were deeply offending a people who are often much more sensitive than they let on. And no one should be faulted for being sensitive when it comes to their heritage, their history, their identity. At least some readers will recall the goofy, pigeon-toed Indian mascot used by UND until about 1967. He appeared on ashtrays, sweatshirts and other memorabilia with official sanctions. He was discontinued, I believe, because people at that time knew deep down it was wrong. I submit that now, just as then, the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname has begun to grate on people's consciences the same way that mascot did in the 1960s. Deep down, most people know it's wrong -- except, of course, for those bigots who are still with us, and those who only answer the call of the dollar. What symbols of pride are ours and ours alone? How about the Liberty Bell, the Minutemen, the pine or oak trees (known as Liberty Trees) -- or in their absence, the Liberty Cap atop a pole? As for local symbols of pride, how about Teddy Roosevelt, the 7th Cavalry, Red River oxcarts, riverboats, the pioneers in sod houses? Those things are our true heritage, our true source of strength, what really defines who we are and how we got here. Scott Olson Media must be sure to report both sides ST. PAUL -- After reading the latest articles reporting on the Ralph Engelstad letter, I'd like to offer this reminder to the news media to be always vigilant of presenting both sides of this issue. Engelstad is a bona fide character. North Dakota hasn't had many since, perhaps, Gordon Kahl. These are people who can propel North Dakota to a national media stage, and regular folk get a kick out of that. So do reporters. I'd hate to see the actions of a character such as Engelstad dictate whether the Sioux nickname is kept in the long run. As a former Grand Forks resident and UND alum, I take great pride in the nickname. I have many friends and family members who do as well. These are people who work, own homes, pay taxes, raise families and generally stay quite on the issue unless asked. The Columbia Road overpass was a major issue when I was a student beginning in 1978. Like most on campus, I only saw one side of the issue -- opposing it. Looking back, building that overpass was the biggest "no brainer" in history. With the nickname, as with the overpass, emotions run high on both sides. The opponents shout the loudest. That doesn't make them any more passionate, however, nor their arguments any more legitimate. The views of the nickname proponents -- other than Engelstad-- should continue to be sought out and reported as well.Bob Stjern Ending discrimination means cutting off Native programs VALLEY CITY, N.D. -- Yes, it's about money, but if you ran a successful business you'd watch your money, too. The argument over the Fighting Sioux name sickens me as a Native American. It is an honor to have a great institution such as UND display the name proudly. If people want to talk discrimination at UND, we easily can look at the issue a little differently. Native Americans have their own centers on campus, which no other ethnic group has. Native students are given more grants and scholarships. All teaching majors need to take North Dakota Native American studies, yet they are not required to take studies of any other ethic background. If UND were to decide on changing the name, there should be certain conditions. Native Americans should pay for all the costs of changing the name, from the uniforms to the floors and loss of alumni donations. Discontinue all special programs for Native Americans at the university. No school in the state should have a Native American nickname, even those on reservations. (It may offend non-Native American students.) There is no name in the world that doesn't offend someone. I am certainly surprised that the Norwegians don't sue for using the Vikings name. It doesn't paint the Norwegians in a better light, especially after last week's game. Why don't Native American leaders object to the Bison nickname? It was considered a sacred animal in our past. Animal rights activists can take offense to "Gophers," "Badgers" or any other animal. British soldiers can take offense to the "Knights" being used by schools. UND has done no wrong using the Fighting Sioux name and should continue to use the name. David Klein Welcome, freshmen, to Ralph Engelstad University GRAND FORKS -- North Dakotans have been branded as having an "inferiority complex," at least in terms of attitudes toward economic growth and optimism for the future. This label may be true in regard to these issues, but North Dakotans do not feel inferior to anyone in terms of conducting their lives with honesty and integrity, both in public life and private life. As a lifelong resident, I have agreed with this attitude until now, when our self-governance and state processes are for sale to the highest bidder. I think the citizens of our state should reject Ralph Engelstad's money on the grounds that it is an offer driven by a hidden agenda. That hidden agenda is the control of UND for 30 years before the arena is finally "given" to the state. During this time, Engelstad will control who is president, athletic director and hockey coach, and by what name the university wishes to call itself. We may as well rename the institution as Ralph Engelstad University. I keep hearing the same arguments in oppostiton to the name change: Those of Irish descent don't care about Notre Dame's "Fighting Irish." You bet the Irish people would care if a "Fighting Irish" team was located in an English school with predominantly English students.
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