The UND “Fighting Sioux”

Presented by UND graduates from Standing Rock

The University of North Dakota Flickertails

In 1930 the University of North Dakota changed its athletic name from the “Flickertails” to the “Fighting Sioux” with no input nor blessing from Dakota/Lakota people.

“Not a great deal of attention was paid to Native Americans in this state in the '30s and I would say in the '40s. And that was simply the way it was.”

- Dave Vorland, UND University Relations

A Rivalry Is Born

It was thought that the Sioux was a better name than Flickertails to exterminate the Bison of North Dakota State University.

THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF T-SHIRTS WORN AT UND

AND NDSU GAMES

University of North Dakota Indian Association is formed

In 1969 the Indian Association is formed. Sammy Sioux is a well-known cartoon that

portrays the Sioux. The Indian Association asks that UND stop

using it. In 1971 Sammy Sioux is retired. UND starts

an Indian Studies Department.

King Kold Winter Festival

Several UND fraternities/sororities create offensive snow sculptures. UNDIA members ask to have them removed. No action is taken. UNDIA members demolish sculptures. A Native student is arrested. UND President posts bond. Charges are later dropped.

As UNDIA begins to protest UND name...

In 1971 a sign posted in a local business reads, "Redskins, go back to the reservations, leave their name alone."

1992

During UND Homecoming a float of grade-school native children dressed in their regalia are mocked by UND fraternities.

It becomes widely publicized. UND criticizes the fraternity and apologize.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe calls for the end of the UND nickname.

1994

NDSU accused of demonstrating derogatory behavior toward Native symbols at basketball game. NDSU President apologizes.

National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media calls for end of name use.

National Association of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American Journalists (UNITY) calls for end of name use.

1996

Native Student from Standing Rock and name change supporter receives hate mail.

UNDIA continually asks to stop the use of nickname.

SOAR becomes Building Roads Into Diverse Groups Empowering Students (BRIDGES).

1997

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe calls for end of name use

National Affairs Commission calls for end of name use

Civil Rights Committee calls for end of name use

1998

National Congress of American Indians calls for end of name use

Governor's Interstate Indian Council calls for end of name use

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) calls for end of name use

Turning the Tide in 1999

UND Student Senate passes resolution to discontinue use of "Fighting Sioux." Student body president vetos resolution.

Similar resolution brought before N.D. House of Representatives, receives a "do not pass" vote.

UND ROTC Battalion drops use of "Fighting Sioux." UND Multicultural Awareness Committee (MAC) calls for end of

name use Three Affiliated Tribes calls for end of name use Seven tribes call for end of name use: Spirit Lake Nation, Crow

Creek Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton/Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Yankton Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe

During this time the following posters appear on the doors to the Indian

Studies Department at UND

UND President retires name…almost

Under pressure, UND President Kupchella decides to suspend use of new logo for sports teams indefinitely. He states, “I see no choice but to respect the request of Sioux tribes that we quit using their name, because to do otherwise would be to put the university and its president in an untenable position."

- President Kupchella e-mail message to William Isaacson, the state board chairman, December 16, 2000

North Dakota State Board of Higher Education

The N.D. State Board of Higher Education preempts President Kupchella and unilaterally declares that UND will keep the "Fighting Sioux" nickname.

Ralph Englestad donates $100 million

A letter from late 2000 surfaces in which Ralph Engelstad threatened to pull his $100 million "donation" should the nickname be changed, most likely prompting the State Board's rash mandate in December 2000

A new Engelstad Arena nears completion

2006

The NDSBHE gives three years to the Sioux Tribes of North Dakota: Spirit Lake and Standing Rock to think about it.

At the end of three years UND will begin a process to retire the name

In the meantime…

Tribal Member vs. Tribal Member

Within this time frame the Ralph Englestad Arena has hired tribal members to act at ambassadors to try and win your support. They say that everything is fine at UND.

Education Not Money

UND is a premier higher learning institute with a commitment to Indian education

Despite these obstacles we received our degrees and strive to make our Nation stronger

This is our experience during our tenure at UND and we want to share with you

T-Shirt that was sold on the Internet

Sioux Toilet Seat

For More Information

Please contact: Waste’Win Young 701-426-5098 Chase Iron Eyes 701-854-2031 Petra Reyna 605-670-9824