http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=58751

UND NICKNAME CONTROVERSY: A Web of emotions

By Chuck Haga
Herald Staff Writer - 11/29/2007

Pride, resentment, bitterness: Every sentiment arises, from compassion to
racism, in the Internet discussion groups grappling with UND's Fighting
Sioux logo.

All of that and resignation, too.

"These comments are a sad testimony to the undercurrent of racism and
hostility that exists at UND," wrote Sheila B. of Grand Forks after a
blizzard of postings Wednesday at www.grandforksherald.com.

That discussion, more than 250 postings by Wednesday evening, grew from
news reports of a forum organized at UND on Tuesday by the Campus Committee
for Human Rights, which opposes continued use of the Fighting Sioux
nickname and logo.

In a legal settlement with the NCAA, which had alleged that UND's use of
the nickname and logo creates a hostile, abusive environment for Native
American students, the university agreed to discontinue the name if it
could not win tribal support within three years. The NCAA rescinded its
"hostile" and "abusive" allegations.

At the UND Indian Center on Tuesday, members of the Standing Rock Tribal
Council said their opposition to use of the logo will not change.

That drew an angry response from Don S., from Mahnomen, Minn. (People who
post on grandforksherald.com must provide an e-mail address but are not
required to sign with a full name.)

"Let the so-called self-appointed spokespeople for the Sioux tribes hide on
their reservations," he wrote. "Let's take away the slimy name and then
abolish Indian studies, Indian Center, Indian scholarships."

Seven minutes later, Maria K. from Grand Forks posted a response: "All you
have to do is read this message board to figure out exactly why the name
has to change. Move on. You lost."

Many of the posters want to move on, regardless of where they stand or
stood on the logo issue.

"The decision has been made," wrote Sheila B. of Grand Forks. "The Sioux
tribes will not give their support to the nickname. Move forward with some
class, dignity and respect for each other."

From Detroit Lakes, Minn., Curt A. also counseled moving on. "I am willing
to accept a new nickname," he wrote. "The timing is right as UND moves to
Division I. . . . Unfortunately, the Sioux Nation will lose what I believe
is a symbol of pride."

And from Gerald L. in Helena, Mont.: "I have thought this was worth the
effort. I am changing my view and thinking, 'Let's move on.'

"It is too bad this is happening from both sides of the issue. I think we
are all better than that. Dragging this on for three years will not help at
all. I urge the university to move on and get this negative story behind
them."

From both sides

Mike McNamara, host of Mac Talk on KNOX Radio, has wrestled with the logo
controversy on the air.

"You see the ignorance from both sides," he said. "It's always been there.
It's what you hear in bars and in conversation, and now because of the
Internet forums it's more on display."

Speaking before news of a possible logo vote next week by the State Board
of Higher Education, McNamara said the board "offered no framework (after
the October NCAA settlement) for the dialogue or for the course ahead.

"In the absence of adults standing up and being leaders, it's fairly
predictable what you're going to have from extremes."

UND President Charles Kupchella said he doesn't read the Internet comment
lines, "but I'm not surprised there's a range of opinion. That certainly
matches my experience."

Kupchella acknowledged that UND and the tribes "haven't had a real sit-down
dialogue yet," and that "much of what passes for that is 'playing to the
crowd.' I've seen that on both sides, from the beginning."

A more substantive discussion requires groundwork, he said Wednesday. "We
have a (three-year) window here to work within, and we're having
discussions on how we approach that."

The disagreement is not a matter of Indians vs. non-Indians, he added, as
both sides in the logo dispute claim Indian and non-Indian support.

A good share of the Internet argument has a sharp us-vs.-them aspect,
however.

"Ever hire a Native American?" Carol B. of Brooks, Minn., asked in a
posting Wednesday. "There is no work ethic, poor performance, late or never
show up or even call and constantly blame others for their problems. If
everyone, regardless of race, creed or color, could be provided free
housing, government check each month, free education, and assistants (sic)
programs to cover every other need, would we not all be happy?

"UND should drop the Sioux nickname . . . and then drop every program
associated with the Native American from the campus. Let them study their
heritage at home."

Logo defenders occasionally urge respect for all involved. "The anonymity
of this room should not entitle people to act rudely to each other," wrote
Chris C.

But Dana K., a UND alum writing from Cando, N.D., said that he had come
around to see the Sioux logo as disrespectful to the university. "UND needs
to have a logo to be proud of. When is the last time you stepped foot in
Fort Totten or Cannonball and seen how they live?"

From Fertile, Minn., Brad C. urged empathy: "All people need to know is
what our grandmothers said to us: Treat people how we want to be treated
ourselves!!"

But Dan K., writing from St. Paul, joined several other posters in
advocating a boycott of Indian casinos "to truly show support for the
heritage and history of the University of North Dakota." Troy R. wrote from
Neche, N.D.: "Let's forget about the nickname and forget about the Sioux.
Let's respect them by forgetting them, as they wish."

"Wow," wrote Steven B. from Clementon, N.J., "so much hatred for Native
Americans here."

Source of division

Karl Limvere, moderator of the Northern Plains Conference of the United
Church of Christ, said the discussion has exposed "a source of division" in
North Dakota. The UCC conference has petitioned state and university
authorities to change the nickname.

"If there is any doubt that we still live in a time of deep prejudices and
outright racism, all we have to do is to read the responses on Web pages to
this and other issues involving Native Americans," Limvere said. "It isn't
pretty, and it doesn't speak well of North Dakota. Anger and hate is toxic
to not only our spirits, but also to our economy and to our future."

Lucy Ganje, a member of the Campus Committee for Human Rights, said the
more vitriolic blog entries, message boards and Internet forums "show that,
of course, there's racism in Grand Forks, and ignorance." There may be
value in the exposure of such sentiments, she said, but they still are
painful.

"I think the community suffers the community broadly, and more directly the
American Indian community," she said. Web forums that don't require full
disclosure by people who post, such as the Herald's, "are culpable in
this."