Spirit Lake Sioux tribe members vote 2-1 in favor of allowing University of North Dakota to retain "Fighting Sioux" nickname

As reported in News From Indian Country, "Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe say they’re proud of the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname and they showed it with their votes. State officials say the tribal vote is just one of the factors they must consider.

Results from the tribe’s primary election, announced April 22 by the tribal election committee, showed 764 votes in favor of UND’s nickname and Indian head logo and 371 against it.

Under a settlement with the NCAA, UND needs approval from the Sioux tribes in the state to continue using the nickname and Indian-head logo without penalties. The NCAA considers it hostile and abusive."

Your erstwhile editor has always felt that anyone, to include the NCAA, which cries "Racism!" at the first possible moment, and who doesn't bother to consult that alleged victims of the alleged racism before popping off are, themselves, suspect.  Call it "reverse racism" if you will - the plain fact is that there are those who have an agenda that has more to do with targetting someone or something they don't like than it has to do with justice or fairness or removing racial discrimination.  Any entity which insists or actions or speech that they deem to be politically correct are particularly suspect.  

Or, to put it in a more succinct fashion, where does the NCAA get off telling the tribes what to think?

In any event, other Sioux tribes have not yet voted, and this issue isn't settled....but it's far better settled by the Sioux themselves than it is in an NCAA hearing, or, worse yet, a lawsuit.  So kudos to Spirit Lake for having the fortitude to put it to a vote.

See the full story HERE.

twp