Senators to debate logo
Both sides of the issue will convene Sunday, Senate resolution to be voted on.
Michael Thomas
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
Members of Student Senate will vote on a resolution Sunday concerning the continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo after last week's meeting saw three Standing Rock tribal members give a presentation in support of the moniker.
Earlier versions of the resolution clearly supported the logo, but recent revisions have eliminated a clause that read, "Therefore be it moved that the University of North Dakota Student Government support the notion to retain the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo …"
The resolution, written by Education and Human Development Senator Casey Hayden and co-signed by senators Brenden Jehlicka, Kyle Wikstrom and Samantha Curtis, cites the presenter's statement that the "use of warrior symbols as mascots is a strong collegiate tradition" and UND's use of the Fighting Sioux logo is a "testament to the high regard in which it holds native societies."
The three members of the Standing Rock tribe said that terminating the use of the logo would only end what little connection the university and its students have with native culture.
"… [student's] only experience with native culture happens to be the mascot … and removal of this tiny sliver of contact and unity would only result in a further degradation in inter-racial relations."
The document further cites that in passing the resolution, Student Government would need to launch a new commitment to "finding ways to create a more inter-racial atmosphere."
"We're not a very interracial campus; it's not because we're racist, but we're learning to be more interracial," said Casey Hayden, author of the resolution.
However, some student response to the resolution hasn't been so favorable. For years, members of several Native American tribes have voiced their opinions on their desire to end the use of the name-Sunday will not be any different.
Several students, native and non-native, will be at the Senate meeting in an effort to get their voices heard as well.
Earlier versions of the resolution clearly supported the logo, but recent revisions have eliminated a clause that read, "Therefore be it moved that the University of North Dakota Student Government support the notion to retain the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo …"
The resolution, written by Education and Human Development Senator Casey Hayden and co-signed by senators Brenden Jehlicka, Kyle Wikstrom and Samantha Curtis, cites the presenter's statement that the "use of warrior symbols as mascots is a strong collegiate tradition" and UND's use of the Fighting Sioux logo is a "testament to the high regard in which it holds native societies."
The three members of the Standing Rock tribe said that terminating the use of the logo would only end what little connection the university and its students have with native culture.
"… [student's] only experience with native culture happens to be the mascot … and removal of this tiny sliver of contact and unity would only result in a further degradation in inter-racial relations."
The document further cites that in passing the resolution, Student Government would need to launch a new commitment to "finding ways to create a more inter-racial atmosphere."
"We're not a very interracial campus; it's not because we're racist, but we're learning to be more interracial," said Casey Hayden, author of the resolution.
However, some student response to the resolution hasn't been so favorable. For years, members of several Native American tribes have voiced their opinions on their desire to end the use of the name-Sunday will not be any different.
Several students, native and non-native, will be at the Senate meeting in an effort to get their voices heard as well.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
Not worth it anymore.
posted 11/23/09 @ 12:56 PM CST
"Annis said that a resolution like this will only exacerbate the already difficult situation that all parties are in.
"My hope is that it won't get to the point of passing the resolution," she said. (Continued…)
Courtney
posted 11/23/09 @ 7:37 PM CST
I served on UNDIA when we held the vote for the resolution. We did this out of the constant pressure we were facing then and it continues to be an issue now. (Continued…)
Amber A.
posted 11/24/09 @ 9:58 AM CST
"Much like when UNDIA passed their resolution to oppose the nickname. Where was Annis then? 450+ Native American students at UND and a group of less than 20 represented them all, adding fuel to this crazy fire. (Continued…)
Matt J.
Matt J.
posted 11/24/09 @ 3:18 PM CST
"A think there is a rather large difference between the student senate, which is all non-Native, and UNDIA which was founded for Native students BY Native students on campus in response to the nickname. (Continued…)
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