Adopted March 1, 2002

Whereas the University of North Dakota School of Law is committed to promoting cultural diversity and nondiscriminatory practices; and

Whereas misuse of Native American mascots and imagery creates a discriminatory environment which promotes racist stereotypes and dehumanizes and disrespects Native peoples and cultures; and

Whereas numerous American Indian groups and organizations, educational institutions, civil rights organizations (including the United States Commission on Civil Rights), and other groups across the nation have formally declared opposition to the use of Native American people as mascots, nicknames, and logos by public institutions; and

Whereas tribal councils of all major Sioux tribes in North Dakota, along with tribes in South Dakota – including the Yankton Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe – have formally resolved that the use of the “Sioux” name and logo by the University of North Dakota is offensive and distorts the positive cultural and spiritual traditions of their people, and have demanded an end to such use; and

Whereas several other tribal entities in the region – including the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Three Affiliated Tribes, and those to which the Spirit Lake Tribe is a member – have either formally or informally resolved that the use of the “Sioux” name and logo by the University of North Dakota is offensive and distorts the positive cultural and spiritual traditions of Native American people; and

Whereas the continued use of the “Sioux” name and logo promotes stereotypes and misconceptions about Native Americans, thereby discouraging intellectual inquiry by our students beyond those misconceptions, and fostering divisiveness both inside and outside of our classrooms; be it

Resolved that we, the Faculty Executive Committee of the University of North Dakota School of Law, oppose the use of Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations; and be it further

Resolved that we, the Faculty Executive Committee of the University of North Dakota School of Law, strongly encourage the University of North Dakota administration to cease the use of the “Sioux” nickname and logo, and publicly denounce the use of Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations; and be it further

Resolved that we, the Faculty Executive Committee of the University of North Dakota School of Law, strongly encourage the University of North Dakota campus media to discontinue the use of all Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations.