University of North Dakota Dicrimination Against Indians Sioux Nickname Debate Continues

UND Sioux Nickname Debate Continues

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Date: 15 Dec 2000
Time: 10:36:59

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Here is the latest from the GF Herald. It tells of a ralley on Monday at Hyslop, and the feelings of UND Native American Program leaders. The Herald is hinting of possible violence against Native Americans if the name is changed. Remember, Kupchella will release his decision early in the 2001 UND Spring Semester.

http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2000/12/15/local/MB1215CULT.htm

Friday, December 15, 2000

Pro-nickname rally Monday

Michael Benedict

UND's athletic department is promoting a rally in support of the university's Fighting Sioux nickname.

Also billed as a cultural awareness and understanding session, the event is set for 7 p.m. Monday in UND's Hyslop Sports Center.

American Indian choreographer Greg Holy Bull will present a program about Sioux people at the event.

http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2000/12/15/local/MB1215UND.htm

Friday, December 15, 2000

Indian program leaders seek nickname change

Kupchella continues discussions over the use of Fighting Sioux

By Michael Benedict Herald Staff Writer

UND President Charles Kupchella appeared sympathetic but somewhat pro-nickname Thursday when presented with a statement against the university's Fighting Sioux nickname.

The statement was endorsed by leaders of most of the university's American Indian programs, which are funded by grant sources outside of UND.

An attached note states that other Indian programs support the statement, but the administrators of those programs were unavailable to approve the statement.

It was delivered to Kupchella at a meeting he attended at the Native American Center on campus.

Kupchella agreed with a comment that he appeared pro-nickname, but he said he was only trying gauge the feelings of people who oppose the name.

If he were speaking to people in favor of the name, he said, he could appear to be against the name.

He said he hasn't made a decision on the name's future.

"Only because I'm checking with you for your persuasions," Kupchella said of his pro-nickname attitude.

"To some, it seems like a straight-forward deal. Let's change it and move on, or let's keep it and move on," he said. "It's not that simple."

Kupchella said people have told him that if the name is changed, repercussions against Indian people and students are possible.

UND doesn't fund the Indian programs, but it does house them, and the future of these programs is a concern, he said. There's also the potential for violence against Indian people and students if the name is changed.

He said his No. 1 concern is the education and safety of all students at UND.

"There are those who would say it would be worse," he said of the treatment of Indian students, some of whom could decide to leave UND because of worries about their safety. "How do you answer that?"

Some Indian students have already left UND because of worries about their safety.

Kupchella, however, didn't answer a question about why he hasn't spoken publicly about the potential for violence against white students if the name is kept.

Negative behavior

Indian program leaders said they, too, are worried about possible repercussions if the name is dropped from UND's teams, but Indian students aren't treated well now because of the use of the name.

There have been death threats, assaults and other disturbing behavior against Indian students because of the use of the name, said Leigh Jeanotte, UND director of Native American Programs.

Jeanotte, other administrators and faculty members who have spoken against the name have received threatening mail relating to the issue.

The issue is not just about a name people find offensive; it's also about behavior, the extreme actions of some people in favor of the name here and also the antics of UND opponents.

Before a recent football game between UND and North Dakota State University, for example, NDSU fans printed shirts with the image of a stereotypical Indian man performing a sexual act on a Bison, the nickname of NDSU teams.

Statement

Besides the often-repeated claims that the use of the name and related Indian-head logos stereotype Indian people -- especially people referred to as Sioux -- the statement included eight other reasons for changing the name.

Citing one of the most compelling reasons, Kupchella has often said the opinions of tribal governments are very important on this issue. Tribal governments could change their positions, but most are now on record as asking for a change.

"How important are the positions tribal leaders have taken on this?" Kupchella asked. "Suppose they change their minds tomorrow. What if they went so far as endorsing it?"

Some of the people who attended the meeting said if the leaders changed their positions, UND should still drop the name because its continued use is morally wrong.

Others, however, said the opinions of tribal governments are very important, no matter what the position.

"I can't imagine that happening," Indian student Holly Annis told Kupchella. "But you have to take into consideration what the tribes say, one way or the other."

Kupchella asked the Indian program leaders and other meeting attendees to understand that he also has to gauge the opinions of people in favor of the name.

Many of these people feel the name is no different than the Minnesota Vikings or the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame.

But Kupchella said there is one important difference. The governments of Norway and Ireland haven't asked the Vikings or Notre Dame to change their names.

Organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and national religious organizations are also asking universities that use Indian imagery to change their nicknames.

He said, however, that Indian people are split about the use of the name.

Some of these people are now showing their support of the name by putting on cultural awareness programs for athletes and people throughout the community.

Jeanotte said cultural education is always positive, but UND should have put on similar programs years ago.

The majority of Indian students also question the motives of the Indian people who are putting on the performances. They're calling them "mascots."