Home > News > Headlines

Print   Subscribe

Editorial: No more stalling on 'Fighting Sioux' nick
Friday, November 6, 2009
Filed Under: Opinion

"North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and University System officials don’t seem to be getting the message: North Dakota’s American Indian Sioux tribes don’t have the University of North Dakota Sioux logo dispute at the top of their agendas. Yet, the chancellor, apparently with the approval of the higher ed board, keeps extending the deadline to get a definitive answer from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council.

Chancellor Bill Goetz said he’s willing to give the tribe another 30 days to make a decision regarding the tribe’s support or rejection of the controversial logo and nickname. It would be the second 30-day extension.

It’s a waste of time.

Standing Rock Chairman Charles Murphy’s latest communication to the chancellor ranged from casual to dismissive. It certainly did not reflect the urgency expressed by advocates – many non-native – on either side of the logo dispute. Murphy said the tribe was willing to discuss the issue “without deadlines and other stipulations.” He further said, “… to be quite honest, this issue is not at the top of the new administration’s list of priority matters.” Murphy was elected chairman in September.

A couple of members of the higher ed board concluded that Murphy’s letter was ambiguous. How’s that? The chairman was clear: The UND logo debate is not a priority for his tribal government. He’s not interested in deadlines or stipulations, he said. How is that ambiguous?

The other Sioux tribe in the state, the Spirit Lake Nation near Devils Lake, has adopted a resolution backing UND’s “perpetual” use of the logo. But even with that, the tribe has other, more pressing priorities."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Quit stalling on UND Sioux logo (The Fargo Forum 11/6)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz

Related Stories:
Standing Rock chair open to 'Fighting Sioux' talk (11/3)
Extension possible for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (10/29)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe mum on UND nickname (10/28)
Erich Longie: Sovereignty or Fighting Sioux (10/6)
Column: Tribes in spotlight for 'Fighting Sioux' (10/5)
Another deadline set for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (10/2)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' affects Chippewa too (10/2)
Editorial: Waiting for tribe on 'Fighting Sioux' (10/2)
Deadline comes for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (10/1)
Column: Time has spoken on 'Fighting Sioux' (10/1)
Rally against Fighting Sioux nickname at UND (9/30)
Fool Bear: Democracy at Standing Rock Sioux (9/28)
'Fighting Sioux' foes seek Spirit Lake reversal (9/25)
Spirit Lake Nation clarifies 'Fighting Sioux' stance (9/21)
Board asked to extend deadline on 'Sioux' nick (9/18)
Yellow Bird: It's time to retire 'Fighting Sioux' (9/17)
Spirit Lake Nation affirms 'Fighting Sioux' vote (9/17)
Editorial: Time to move on from 'Fighting Sioux' (9/14)
Deadline on 'Fighting Sioux' might be extended (9/11)
Media guide depicts UND 'Indian' being chased (9/9)
Letter: Follow tribal wishes on 'Fighting Sioux' (9/8)
Editorial: Extend deadline for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (9/4)
Time running out to keep 'Fighting Sioux' at UND (9/3)
Deadline approaching over 'Sioux' nickname (08/19)
Editorial: No happy ending for 'Sioux' nick (8/17)
Standing Rock Sioux leaders nix 'Sioux' vote (8/12)
Petition seeks another vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (07/17)
Letter: Keep fighting to keep 'Fighting Sioux' nick (7/16)
Opinion: Let Standing Rock vote on 'Sioux' nick (7/13)
Letter: Standing Rock Sioux vote on UND nickname (6/15)
Tribal 'Fighting Sioux' supporters seek action (06/05)
Letter: Tribal leaders ignore 'Fighting Sioux' views (5/26)
Editorial: Retiring 'Fighting Sioux' the right move (5/18)
Editorial: 'Fighting Sioux' can't survive much longer (5/15)
UND faces new deadline on 'Fighting Sioux' name (5/15)
Board meeting to discuss fate of 'Fighting Sioux' (5/14)
Column: Don't drop 'Sioux' before tribe votes (5/13)
Cartoon: Democracy and vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (5/11)
Erich Longie: 'Sioux' opponents won't give up fight (5/4)
Column: 'Fighting Sioux' vote sends strong message (4/28)
Opinion: 'Fighting Sioux' reflects warrior spirit (4/27)
Column: A perspective on 'Fighting Sioux' vote (4/24)
'Fighting Sioux' supporters eye Standing Rock vote (4/23)
Spirit Lake Nation reportedly backs 'Fighting Sioux' (4/22)

Copyright © Indianz.Com