Looks like N.D. is giving in

[scsavre]

Early mn deer would mean 10,000 misquito bites. I'm not a deer guy, but hunting deer in the mn woods in august and september sounds like a lot of leaves to look thru. Would make for a nicephoto backdrop tho.

My bro in law got an awesome full velvet in nd 2 years ago. Sweet looking foresure.

[Bear55]

Yep is is pretty thick early season but the deer can't see very far either so you can sometimes get right on top of them. Bug spray is a must.

[Shorelunch]

Yep is is pretty thick early season but the deer can't see very far either so you can sometimes get right on top of them. Bug spray is a must.

ThermaCell works great.

[Bear55]

I do hear they are good, I just have all this old bug spray I need to get rid of. I must have bought it by the case back in the day.

[Steve Foss]

Quote:

Spirit Lake: The fight for ‘Fighting Sioux’ continues

Injunction, statewide vote may be options Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe who favor UND retaining its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo have turned once again to the courts to block the anticipated retirement of the symbols.

By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald

Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe who favor UND retaining its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo have turned once again to the courts to block the anticipated retirement of the symbols.

They also contemplate an initiated measure to put the issue to a statewide vote.

Armed with a resolution from the Tribal Council authorizing the Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect to continue the fight to keep the name, leaders of the committee have retained lawyers and taken the first steps in their latest attempt to save a nickname they believe honors them and helps to preserve their cultural identity.

“An injunction petition has been filed at Spirit Lake Tribal Court,” Minot attorney Reed Soderstrom said today. “I don’t know if it’s been signed yet. They’ll have to determine whether they have jurisdiction and make the best decision.

“I have been practicing in tribal courts some 20 years, and I’m sure there will be disputes over jurisdiction.”

The injunction would direct UND, the State Board of Higher Education and the NCAA “to stop all activities aimed at retiring UND’s Fighting Sioux logo and nickname.”

Chief Tribal Court Judge Pete Belgarde was in Bismarck at a training program today and unavailable for comment, a spokeswoman for the court said, and no one else at the court could comment.

Eunice Davidson and Frank Black Cloud, leaders of the Committee for Understanding and Respect, refused to comment on the recent developments. Davidson referred questions to Soderstrom.

Spirit Lake Tribal Chairman Roger Yankton Sr. did not respond to requests for an interview, and no other tribal council members were available for comment.

Also seeking licensing rights

In their petition to the tribal court, nickname supporters also seek transfer of the “right of license, use and merchandising of the Fighting Sioux name and symbol to the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe for purposes of furthering the honor of the Great Sioux Nation.”

“There are issues of honor and integrity they would like to preserve with that name and logo,” Soderstrom said. “There also is a monetary issue. I’m told the Fighting Sioux logo is one of the best-selling logos in the country.”

Under a resolution adopted recently by the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, the Committee for Understanding and Respect and its attorneys are authorized “to go forward with the tribe’s fight to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname at the University of North Dakota” and to “seek outside resources and support to defend Spirit Lake’s voice and UND’s right to retain the Fighting Sioux Name.”

The committee, which led the successful 2009 referendum that gave Spirit Lake’s endorsement of UND’s Fighting Sioux name and logo, may also represent the tribe in seeking a statewide initiated measure on the Fighting Sioux nickname.

“It might be the only way the people of Standing Rock get to vote,” Soderstrom said.

“This name, in my opinion, unites cultures and unites the state, and the whole state needs a vote on this issue.”

He said an initiated measure could lead to a statewide vote as part of the 2012 primary election, “but more people could have a say at the general election” in November 2012, when there likely would be a heavier turnout for the presidential election.

Soderstrom said the Legislature should not repeal the nickname law at its special session this November.

“We need to keep the law in place and then let the people vote,” he said.

What does ‘planning’ mean?

Soderstrom said an injunction “may not be necessary if UND and the State Board of Higher Education are not attempting to supersede the state law and retire the name and logo,” but he said the board and university leaders’ intentions aren’t clear.

After failing to move NCAA leaders off their hard-line position on the nickname and logo last month, the state board directed UND to resume planning for a retirement that would be “substantially completed” by the end of the year.

That rankled Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, the House majority leader and author of the law that requires UND to keep the Sioux name and logo. He called the board’s action “presumptive and premature” and an affront to the legislative process. But board President Grant Shaft responded that the consensus at the Aug. 12 meeting with the NCAA in Indianapolis, which Carlson attended, was that the nickname would be retired and the Legislature would amend or repeal the law during a November special session. It was appropriate, Shaft said, that UND plan for that.

“I don’t know what they mean by saying they’re ‘planning’ to retire the nickname,” Soderstrom said. “But if they’re not retiring the name (now), I guess the injunction isn’t necessary.”

Retiring name ‘void of any common sense’

Soderstrom said he also will try “to intervene in the federal court case brought by … UND students” who allege that they have been harmed by the university’s Fighting Sioux name and logo.

“I represent a Sioux nation that disagrees with that,” Soderstrom said.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Bismarck on the eve of the Indianapolis meeting, names Gov. Jack Dalrymple and other state officials and alleges that the pro-nickname law adopted by the 2011 Legislature is unconstitutional.

A 1990 graduate of UND’s Law School, Soderstrom has also represented the more than 1,000 petition signers at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who sought a reservation referendum on the nickname.

Facing sanctions if it did not comply with a 2005 NCAA policy against use of American Indian names, logos and mascots by member schools, UND and the state board sued. Under terms of a 2007 settlement of that lawsuit, the state board agreed to retire the name and logo by August 2010 if it could not obtain the support of both Sioux tribes.

Spirit Lake voted 2-1 for UND keeping the name, but Standing Rock’s elected tribal council — which has opposed the nickname for many years — declined to arrange a referendum there.

“As a UND graduate, I could have lived with that if Standing Rock could have voted,” Soderstrom said, but due to the tribe’s sovereign immunity “we couldn’t sue the tribe and we couldn’t get a vote.”

“You balance out the ‘hostile and abusive’ effect that some people assert, which is very subjective, against the real situation where we have a sort of ‘banana republic’ in part of our state that won’t allow the people to vote,” he said. “To retire the name based on that reality is void of any common sense.”

Reach Haga at (701) 780-1102; (800) 477-6572, ext. 102; or send email to [email protected].

[scsavre]

Just looks like they wanna make some cash off the logo and merch. Id rather the school profit rather then th tribes.

[cbrooks]

I wouldn't have a problem with the tribe getting money for the logo...I guess it depends on the price of course.

[MUSKY18]

I think the only fair way to decide this argument is for UND to just totally scrap their hockey program. Hang it up,never play again. Of course then where would all the Canadians go to college? Either way, as a Gopher fan, I kind of hope they go with Flickertails!

[mnorth]

The Latest...

Spirit Lake tribe's warning: Expect 'far more severe' consequences if nickname retirement work continues

In a statement released by the Committee for Understanding and Respect, which has been authorized by the Spirit Lake Tribal Council to speak for the tribe on the nickname issue, the committee warned UND, the State Board of Higher Education, the NCAA and the Big Sky Conference to stop acting “against our honorable name as given to UND by our ancestors.”

By: Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald

Fighting Sioux nickname supporters at the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe responded angrily today to remarks Wednesday by UND President Robert Kelley and Grant Shaft, president of the State Board of Higher Education, who advocate repeal of the state law ordering UND to retain the nickname.

In a statement released by the Committee for Understanding and Respect, which has been authorized by the Spirit Lake Tribal Council to speak for the tribe on the nickname issue, the committee warned UND, the state board, the NCAA and the Big Sky Conference to stop acting “against our honorable name as given to UND by our ancestors.”

If they don’t stop working to retire the name, they should expect consequences “far more severe than any sanctions UND claims will exist by keeping our name,” according to the statement.

The committee also suggested that Kelley and Shaft should resign their positions for failing in leadership.

Frank Black Cloud, a spokesman for the Spirit Lake committee, said he was “not at liberty to say” what the “more severe” consequences might be, except that they likely would include legal action.

“It is something that definitely will let them know we are serious,” he said.

The statement also disputed Shaft’s suggestion Wednesday that Notre Dame’s aligning itself with the Hockey East Conference rather than a new conference that will include UND may have been influenced by UND’s being placed on sanctions by the NCAA for retaining the nickname.

Shaft made the comment after Kelley’s address to a gathering of civic and business leaders on campus Wednesday, in which he called for the Legislature to repeal the law adopted earlier this year mandating UND’s continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

Kelley said the ongoing controversy threatens UND’s entry into the Big Sky Conference and problems in future athletic scheduling and recruitment, and is damaging the university’s national reputation.

Shaft, who was present for the address, said afterward that Kelley’s comments were “spot on.”

But in its statement today, the Committee for Understanding and Respect accused UND, the board and others of playing games with supposed consequences of resisting the NCAA, which since 2005 has worked to eliminate the use of American Indian names, logos and mascots from member institutions.

“There is the real truth, and then there are those things they wish us all to believe are consequences,” according to the statement.

“Since we have never been allowed into the discussions about our ancestor’s gift to UND – our name — we have no choice but to go with the truths we know, and we know our proud name has not hurt UND for over 80 years. To suggest otherwise is hostile and abusive, and borders on racism.”

[broodwich]

Did anyone watch the 20/20 special on the pine ridge reservation in South Dakota? After I watched it I'm disgusted with the whole UND/Sioux controversy. It's terrible that thousands of white Americans would interject their opinions without any frame of reference. Think about it, thousands of whites fighting to keep a name for a school that means nothing to them but won't lift a finger to help the people who carry the name. Many of which claim to be good christian folk. Shameful behavior by a country who prides it's self on diversity.

"]Just looks like they wanna make some cash off the logo and merch. Id rather the school profit rather then th tribes.

[pleasebecomeasponsor]: my point exactly. You couldn't look more like a jerk.

[cbrooks]

Did anyone watch the 20/20 special on the pine ridge reservation in South Dakota?

I miss that. What does it have to do with the logo?

[Bryce]

Please do explain. Does that tribe have anything at all to do with the logo controversy? Troll?

[toughguy]

I'm not a UND fan but please don't change the name to something silly like Express, Wind, Blizzard, Freeze, etc. Come up with something original and specific to ND that's a noun. i.e. I'm a Wild fan but I hate the name. Although it's not original Pioneers would be kind of cool. Would be the other side of Sioux name issue too. Germans? Homesteaders? Frackers? Hunters? I like Roughriders too. Isn't one of ND's nicknames the Roughrider state?

[scsavre]

That please become a sponsor, guy sure is a jerk. Just when I thought I was getting better with the golden rule.

If your trying to say the citizens of nd and the college of und is abandoning the pine ridge tribe of sd I think you should do a little more home work. Are they even tied to the tribes that und fighting sioux honors.....I don't know. Seems like und offers a whole ton of education and $$$ to many of the states tribes. As far as my commnt about making money,again the school should be the one making the $$$.

Maybe bill clinton can build the pine ridge res another 50 homes to trash. Or was it und that trashed them, I can't remember.

[cbrooks]

Oh boy, how did politics get on a hockey forum?

This fight is now with the Spirit lake nation and the NCAA. UND has came out and said there ready to retire the name. The Spirit lake nation WANTS to keep the name. This will be the final fight for the name. I think some occasinal followers still think UND is fighting to keep the name that isn't the case anymore.

I also disagree with you Scott (aka please become a sponsor guy)too funny. I think if UND makes money on the logo a percentage should probably go to the res. I think thats fair IMO. I not gonna come out and call you a jerk because I disagree with you .

[Bryce]

Now no more Beer Grandma.

[scsavre]

But I am a jerk, come on.

Beer grandma, what's gonna go next. Are they no longer gonna let students drink so much they pass out in the stands.

Sounds like people are getting upset with kelley up there. Its just a matter of time before the leash gets tightened further. The whole nickname fight brings too much bad publicity to und. They are under a close eye it seems and maybe that's not a good thing for und.

[yakfisher]

Bad publicity? Look at politics today, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

As far as Pine Ridge, conditions there have been deplorable for generations. I've known this fact for decades. I can assure you, Mr. "PBS Guy," that UND has done far more for Natives that you and just about any other public institution in the country.

And now that you know about the conditions on Pine Ridge, what will you do? Troll a few more nickname issue boards and post your disgust? How about you stand up and do something for those people. I'm sure BIA would like to have some more funds to work with or volunteers bringing aid to the res.

Don't worry your anger and disgust will pass and the rose will soon return to your glasses. In the mean time please stick to the issue of this topic, which is the service or disservice the NCAA may or may not be providing to UND, college athletics, and the honor and memory of the Spirit Lake Tribe.

[Jarrod32]

I think the key point to this whole thing is that there are a bunch of people running around claiming to know that something (UND logo/nickname) is offensive to some, but they seem to have neglected to consult those who are supposedly offended. It would seem that the assumption that the logo/nickname is offensive is a faulty assumption.

[cbrooks]

I need to get the full "Pine Ridge" story. Will have to google it later when I'm a little more motivated.

The only Jerk I know Scott is Steve Martin. Great movie, highly recommend it . So I guess your not in bad company.

Jarrod you nailed it. NCAA didn't have there ducks in a row or should I say North Dakota school board...either way doesn't matter. If This thing goes all the way to the supreme court I would bet money they will side with Spirit Lake. The only question is, will this fight go that far.

[scsavre]

The jerk is great movie, what cause Im a gopher fan I dont know good movies.

Pine Ridge sucks, my brother was an ATF agent serving it. Lots of crazy stories.

Anyways, until there is an update on this nickname nonsense Im avoiding this one. No horse in this race anyway.

[Bear55]

Oh boy, how did politics get on a hockey forum?

No kidding, if you are looking for someone to argue with I would start here. http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/67/1/Outdoor_Discussion_Clean_ups_a

[cbrooks]

It all starts with a troll . Its up to everybody else to keep it on topic.

Even on topic... it Maybe should be in crazy town. It doesn't have a whole lot to do with hockey anymore even if its about the school that everybody thinks powerhouse college hockey program

[Steve Foss]

Any Sioux person anywhere could consider themselves impacted by the use of the nickname, and S.D. has far more Sioux people/reservations than N.D.

The NCAA was thinking practically when it limited the necessary permissions to the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock reservations, since they are the only two Lakota/Dakota reservations in the state in which UND exists.

It's not news that poverty has been rampant on many, many Indian reservations for a long time in our country, not just one or two in South Dakota. It was that way long before I attended UND in the 80s (Indian Studies/English major), and it's only really improved on reservations where casinos and other businesses have flourished. It is a very complex and longstanding issue, one not really suited to quick treatment by such sensationalistic entities as 20/20.

Poverty and injustice on Pine Ridge have nothing to do with the fight to keep the Sioux nickname at UND.

BTW, Spirit Lake has just formally filed its lawsuit. Dakota/Sioux people fighting to keep the nickname, not white people.

[Scott M]

Fightin' Telephone Poles, Fightin' Migratory Waterfowl, Fightin' Oil Gushers, Fightin' Flood Waters, Fightin' over shooting bucks from the road...so many to choose from.