by Itancan Win
Itazipco/Mniconjou Lakota

(appeared in Native Directions, Fall 2000, Volume 8, Issue 1)

Did you know?

• UND Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) erected a "tipi" decorated with what they thought to be Native symbols. The "tipi" was erected for "Camp Week," a week in which fraternity members set up tents and sleep in them for a week to raise money for charity. The "tipi" was taken down and the president of the fraternity later apologized (Grand Forks Herald, "Race Issues:..." 10-6-00).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon hosted a cowboy theme party where several members of the fraternity dressed up as "Indians." A Native student stopped to take a picture of the fraternity members, when a person dressed up as a cowboy drew his toy gun and pointed it at the student, who was with her six month old child at the time. SAE president said they didn't throw the party to hurt India people (Grand Forks Herald, "Race Issues:..." 10-6-00. Dakota Student, "A Walk for Change...?" V118, Issue 10).
• Three UND students were arrested at the "Walk for Change," sponsored by the UND Campus Committee for Human Rights. The students sat in the east bound lane of University Avenue blocking traffic and refusing to move. They were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. One of the students stated, "... I don't have 100 million dollars to get people's attention, but I can part my body in front of traffic." It is reported that the arrests were likely the first associated with a UND campus protest since the early 1970s (Grand Forks Herald, "3 arrests at protest," 10-7-00; Dakota Student, "Protesters take to the Streets," V118, Issue 11).
• The powers that be at the Ralph Engelstad Arena are using the new UND logo (the one that isn't supposed to be used) on their website, brochures, and t-shirts without permission from the University. How can that be? Well, as the Dean of the School of Law said, "It's only illegal if we choose to enforce it." (Dakota Student, "Rumors About Logo..." V188, Issue 12).
• The Ralph Engelstad Arena brochure advertises season tickets and includes the company's web site and phone number 877-91-SIOUX. Ralph Engelstad Arena, Inc. can be reached on campus by dialing 77SIOUX (Grand Forks Herald, "New UND logo in use" 10-6-00).
• An online petition written by Duaine Bercier has been signed by more than 300 people. The petition calls for a "zero tolerance policy towards racism at UND." (Dakota Student, "An online crusade..." V188, Issue 13.)
• Bremer Foundation has made it known that they are monitoring the situation at UND and have expressed concern that the University is still using a name and symbol that is offensive to Native American people (Grand Forks Herald, "Bremer group may withhold..." 10-24-00).
• The Grand Forks Herald secured an interview with Ralph Engelstad. The questions from the Herald were given to Engelstad in written format and they agreed to print his entire responses, the only condition being that he limit his answers to 250 words per question (Grand Forks Herald, "Engelstad's answers," 10-29-00).
• Ralph Engelstad representatives appear before a UND student senate meeting. It was disclosed that the money given by Engelstad to the University was contingent on three criteria: "UND remains the 'Home of the Fighting Sioux'; the Sioux logo remain at UND; and the new arena be self-contained and supporting." The rep also stated, "It's up to Dr. Kupchella and Ralph [Engelstad]," referring to who will make the decision about changing the name (Dakota Student, "Representatives unveil..." V118, Issue 19)