North Dakota voters: University can drop Fighting Sioux name

CNN ^ | June 13th, 2012 | Jason Hanna

[MinorityRepublican]

North Dakota voters have - for now, at least - cleared the way for the University of North Dakota’s athletic teams to drop their controversial Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

North Dakotans voted 60.5% to 39.5% on Tuesday in favor of a referendum measure that essentially gives the school the power to drop the name, which it has sought to do to comply with an NCAA campaign targeting Native American nicknames.

“We are appreciative that voters took the time to listen and to understand the issues and the importance of allowing the university to move forward,” university President Robert O. Kelley said Wednesday.

But a years-long battle over the nickname might not be over, with supporters hoping to force another vote – this time calling for changing the state Constitution to mandate the name’s use – in November.

The issue stems from the NCAA's longstanding efforts to get most Native American nicknames and logos out of college athletics. In 2005, the NCAA ordered almost 20 schools whose nicknames and mascots it deemed "abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin" to either get Native American permission to use their names and likenesses or come up with new ones.

The NCAA said that schools continuing to use such nicknames without permission would, among other things, be prohibited from hosting NCAA championship events.

[all_mighty_dollar]

So does ‘Fighting Frackers’ work?

[gorush]

They should just let those with Sioux blood vote...and then send the results to the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. How ironic is that?

[Snickering Hound]

[yarddog]

I am tired of honoring American Indians and them not appreciating it (except for the Seminoles). Change the name.

[Fightin Whitey]

Frackin’ A!!

[spankalib]

I wonder what name they’re planning to use for Illinois.

[MinorityRepublican]

I am tired of honoring American Indians and them not appreciating it (except for the Seminoles). Change the name.

I agree. F*** it.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“So does ‘Fighting Frackers’ work?”

No. How about the Fighting Muckers?

[This I Wonder32460]

Someday all “Native American” tribes will be forgotten. They fought to preserve, we fought to survive, they lost, we won, we honored them by using not only their place names their tribe names for sports groups, etc. We considered them worthy opponents, champion names. Perhaps it is just as well that they become like other ancient groups, just a blimp on history. Why remember groups who want to be forgotten?

[Verginius Rufus]

From what I have read, the Sioux were not against the team's name--it was activists from other tribes who wanted the name changed. But I'm not sure if every subgroup of the Sioux approved.

The capital of North Dakota is Bismarck. Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian Junker. Maybe call the team the Fighting Prussians. Prussia made many contributions to civilization--they produced a lot of writers and scientists. They gave us WWI too, but nobody's perfect.

[Last Dakotan]

The real losers will be the Indians living in ND. You can't go on a reservation and not see the Fighting Sioux logo everywhere.

The University would have gotten the OK to use the name in accord with the NCAA if it where not for one corrupt tribal government (but I repeat myself).

The University had done a great amount of outreach work with the tribes. I see the enthusiasm for this falling dramatically.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Ya know, I have always thought that this fracas over the Fighting Sioux nickname was absurd and ridiculous. But, you are gonna change your State Constitution? Seriously?

[Buckeye McFrog]

were not for one corrupt tribal government

Currently in negotiations with the Democrats to accept Elizabeth Warren as a member, I'm sure

[VeniVidiVici]

Crusaders
The Other Indians
Vikings
Fighting Anglo-Saxons
Beserkers
Infidels
Zombies
Vandals
Mongol Horde