University of North Dakota (UND)
From: UND Indian Related Programs
Dated and Presented: December 14, 2000

President Kupchella:

Thank you for honoring our request to meet with you.

You have publicly and repeatedly stated that the decision to keep or retain the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and related "Indian Head" logo(s) will be made by you, and you alone. It has long been the common practice of Indian related programs at UND to refrain from making public statements regarding the logo controversy, primarily because program administrators and staff did not want to risk deterring any students from accessing their services - including students who may support the University's continued use of the nickname/logo.

However, in part because of recent media events and coverage regarding various UND groups (primarily those associated with athletic departments and alumni) who support retaining the "Fighting Sioux" nickname/logo, and more importantly because your decision regarding the nickname/logo controversy will soon be made public, a number of faculty and staff members associated with Indian related programs at UND have collaborated to draft and present you with the following statement for your careful consideration, as well as for immediate release to the media.

The following UND Indian related programs and associated faculty/staff members are in full and unanimous support of discontinuing the use of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and "Indian Head" logo(s) to represent UNDs sports teams, and urge the administration to change the name to one that all members of the University community can fully support and enthusiastically rally behind.

As University personnel, advocates for American Indian peoples and communities, and professionals committed to higher education - as well as a respectful and inclusive campus environment, we believe that the continued use of the nickname/logos will prove highly detrimental to the entire University community, as well as to the missions and goals of this institution.

We believe that UNDs use of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and related "Indian Head" logo(s):

• Works against the University's mission to promote diversity and cultural pluralism, and threatens to make a mockery of the University's profession to serve as "a conduit through which individual perspectives and global interactions are enhanced by a learning and teaching environment that is aware of and sensitive to the diversity of its constituents";
• Promotes negative and derogatory stereotypes of Native people, especially Lakota, Nakota and Dakota peoples, therefore dishonoring the very people the University claims to be honoring;
• Is hurtful and dehumanizing to the state and nations original inhabitants, thereby promoting the oppression of Native people, and placing UND at great risk for practicing and promoting state-supported, institutionalized racism. American Indian students attending UND are increasingly becoming the targets of angry, hurtful, and even frightening incidents related to the ongoing nickname/logo controversy;
• Adversely impacts prospective American Indian students nationwide from attending UND, and causes Indian related programs personnel to confront tribal concerns regarding the recruitment of American Indian students to an increasingly hostile campus climate. The emotionally charged controversy is rendering the UND campus environment non- conducive to learning, academic and personal success, and the overall well-being of American Indian students. Some tribes have already stated that they will not send American Indian student to UND because of the controversy.
• Places the University at great risk for legal actions and complexities related to charges of harassment and/or human rights violations.
• Causes UND to be potentially negatively perceived by outside funding sources (state, federal, public and private organizations and foundations) which generate literally millions of dollars for UND through the Indian related programs and initiatives they fund. The decision to retain or change the "Fighting Sioux" nickname/logo will surely impact such outside funding sources - and the very future of Indian related programs at UND.
• Fails to respect and respond to regional tribes which have strongly endorsed changing the name and logo, along with organizations including the National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Education Association, who have also gone on record asking UND to change the nickname/logo.
• Fails to demonstrate the leadership shown by two of the three North Central Conference schools who previously used American Indian related nicknames/logos, and have since discontinued the practice. Both Mankato and Morningside have changed their sports teams Indian nicknames/logos; UND is the only remaining North Central Conference school who continues to use a controversial American Indian related nickname/logo(s).
• Commonly prevents American Indian students, staff, their families and friends from attending or participating in UND athletic events, due in large part to the offensive and negative behaviors of opposing teams fans. Both on campus and off, as long as the "Fighting Sioux" nickname is in use, it has the potential for misuse, and it is sadly ironic that supporters of keeping the nickname/logo(s) believe that it honors American Indian people - when Indian students are not able to comfortably attend or support UND athletic events.

President Kupchella, we strongly and respectfully urge you to lead the way in progressive reform and change UND's athletic teams nickname and logo to one which truly honors and respects all peoples and cultures that make up this great University and state. North Dakota is widely known and promoted as the frontier state, inspired by the frontier spirit and bravery demonstrated by its early inhabitants, both Native and non-Native. The courage and leadership you have shown in the face of this controversy is deeply appreciated, as is the time you have taken to ensure that all voices are being heard.

UND Indian Related Programs, as listed below:

• Native American Programs
• Indians Into Medicine
• Recruitment/Retention of American Indians Into Nursing (RAIN)
• Indians Into Psychology Doctoral Education
• Minority Access to Research Careers
• A h'jo gun
• Science, Engineering, and Math Technical Assistance Center
• Disability Research Encompassing Americans in Math and Science
• Native Media Center
• Indian Studies
• National Resource Center on Native American Aging
• Upward Bound
• Multicultural Scholars Into Dietetics Program
• Fort Berthold Community College and Turtle Mountain Community College Teacher Training Project
• Family and Domestic Violence Training Project
• Prairielands Addiction Technology Transition Center & Center of Excellence In Native American Substance Abuse
• Native American Law Project
• Northern Plains Tribal Judicial Training Institute
• The Tribal Environmental Law Project
• The Northern Plains Judicial Training Institute
• Northern Plains Indian Law Center

* Note: Other UND Indian Related Programs and associated faculty/staff members have indicated their support for this statement, however, because their respective program administrators and/or advisory boards could not be reached for approval, those programs are not included in the above listing.