Home > News > Headlines

Print   Subscribe

Judge hearing 'Sioux' case was part of mascot group
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Filed Under: Education


The judge hearing the case over the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo was part of a student group that promoted Indian caricatures, The Fargo Forum reports.

As a student at UND in the 1960s, Judge Lawrence Jahnke belonged to the all-male Golden Feather pep club. The group created the controversial “Sammy the Sioux" mascot that depicted an Indian in a cartoonish fashion. The group also chose the "Indian maiden" outfits worn by UND cheerleaders.

"Sammy" was eliminated in the 1970s and the pep group eventually disbanded. The school, however, kept its "Sioux" association and came up with an Indian head logo that is the subject of litigation against the NCAA, which opposes the use of Indian mascots and imagery.

The Fargo Forum broke the news on the judge's involvement on Wednesday and said he would not comment for the story. Jahnke, however, spoke to the Grand Forks Herald later in the day and said his involvement in the group wouldn't affect his handling of the case.

In an editorial on Wednesday, the Forum criticized Jahnke for keeping records sealed in the case. In his ruling on the issue, Jahnke accused the media of fostering divisiveness over the logo and urged the media to focus on UND's programs that help Indian students.

'With all respect, his honor is talking oranges and apples," the paper said.

Get the Story:
Jahnke: Golden Feather membership not relevant (The Grand Forks Herald 10/25)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz
Judge’s Sioux ties run deep (The Fargo Forum 10/24)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz
Editorial: Judge errs in sealing Sioux files (The Fargo Forum 10/24)

Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com

Related Stories:
Opinion: Find solution to 'Fighting Sioux' nick (10/8)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' violates human rights (10/3)
Tribal views on 'Fighting Sioux' at issue in case (09/11)
Editorial: Arena tries end run on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/4)
Column: Time for UND to let 'Fighting Sioux' go (8/27)
Sparring continues in 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (8/23)
UND spends more than $500K in 'Fighting Sioux' case (07/10)
Spirit Lake woman named to UND search committee (7/5)
North Dakota governor wants Indian for UND search (6/29)
UND search committee could include tribal member (6/28)
Editorial: Indian voice needed on UND committee (6/25)
Tribes left out of UND president search committee (6/15)
UND spent $430K to defend 'Fighting Sioux' nick (6/5)
Author rejects honorary degree from 'Fighting Sioux' (04/20)
UND to move forward with 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (06/20)
Opinion: 'Sioux' lawsuit could hurt North Dakota (6/19)
UND to file lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' name (6/16)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' logo hurts students (6/16)
UTTC president urges against 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (6/15)
UND president wants lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' (6/9)
Tribal member named to North Dakota higher ed board (5/26)
Opinion: UND's divide and conquer on 'Sioux' (05/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won't back 'Sioux' name (5/5)
Editorial: Seek tribal approval for 'Fighting Sioux' (5/3)
'Sioux' and 'Chief' denied again by NCAA (5/1)
Letters: Controversy over 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/1)
Standing Rock chairman disputes UND on 'Sioux' (4/28)
Opinion: Native students at UND subject to racism (04/12)
UND to file lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' name (6/16)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' logo hurts students (6/16)
UTTC president urges against 'Fighting Sioux' lawsuit (6/15)
UND president wants lawsuit over 'Fighting Sioux' (6/9)
Tribal member named to North Dakota higher ed board (5/26)
Opinion: UND's divide and conquer on 'Sioux' (05/19)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won't back 'Sioux' name (5/5)
Editorial: Seek tribal approval for 'Fighting Sioux' (5/3)
'Sioux' and 'Chief' denied again by NCAA (5/1)
Letters: Controversy over 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/1)
Standing Rock chairman disputes UND on 'Sioux' (4/28)
Opinion: Native students at UND subject to racism (04/12)

Copyright © Indianz.Com