8/3/2019 20111227 NR- Fighting Sioux Supporters React to Big Sky Membership News

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FOR IMMEDIAT E RELEASE

Decem ber 27, 2011

Contac t : Frank B lack Cloud

(701) 351-1057

fran k bc @liv e.com

Fighting Sioux Nickname Supporters React to UND Big Sky Membership News

BISMARCK - Fighting Sioux nickname supporters reacted today to news that the University of North

Dakota has been a full member of the Big Sky Conference since late October 2010, despite perceptions promoted

by UND and the State Board of Higher Education that entry into this conference was jeopardized by retaining the

Fighting Sioux name and logo.

The Spirit Lake Nation Committee for Understanding and Respect, and #SaveTheSioux ballot initiatives

committee expressed concern about astoryrun onSayAnythingBlog.com, which reported that UND is a full (core)

member of the Big Sky Conference since October 29, 2010 according to documents they received from UND via an

open records request. This would seemingly contradict concerns precipitated by the university and State Board of

Higher Education that UND will not be able to enter the Big Sky Conference if they retain the Fighting Sioux name

and logo, as the documentation received which the story is based on shows UND is already a full conference

member.

UND and the State Board of Higher Ed to the North Dakota cited Big Sky conference admission concerns in

testimony to successfully convince the North Dakota Legislature in November 2011 to repeal a state law protecting

the Fighting Sioux name and logo from retirement. Yet, the documentation provided by UND as part of the open

records request shows the school had already signed afull membership contracton October 29, 2010, and were

considered full members at the time of signature. Despite this, UND and the State Board persisted in promoting

the perception the school was not in the conference as a full member well after the contract was signed.

-MORE-

mailto:frankbc@live.commailto:frankbc@live.comhttp://sayanythingblog.com/entry/are-the-university-of-north-dakotas-big-sky-conference-concerns-bogus/http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/are-the-university-of-north-dakotas-big-sky-conference-concerns-bogus/http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/are-the-university-of-north-dakotas-big-sky-conference-concerns-bogus/http://www.sayanythingblog.com/http://www.sayanythingblog.com/http://www.sayanythingblog.com/http://www.scribd.com/doc/76523854/Exhibit-1-Big-Sky-Contracthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76523854/Exhibit-1-Big-Sky-Contracthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76523854/Exhibit-1-Big-Sky-Contracthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/76523854/Exhibit-1-Big-Sky-Contracthttp://www.sayanythingblog.com/http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/are-the-university-of-north-dakotas-big-sky-conference-concerns-bogus/mailto:frankbc@live.com

8/3/2019 20111227 NR- Fighting Sioux Supporters React to Big Sky Membership News

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Page 2: Fighting Sioux Nickname Supporters React to UND Big Sky Membership News

We find these broken words spoken by those who hold positions of respect in our institutions

unfortunate, unacceptable and a gross misrepresentation of the truth and facts relative to the Fighting Sioux name

and logo, said Spirit Lake Tribal Elder John Chaske. We stand on principle as citizens of North Dakota, defending

our religious rights, our customs and traditions in defense against those who seek to destroy our honorable

Fighting Sioux name at UND. For those who have willingly sought to deceive the public officials of North Dakota

and its citizens on a public platform, These individuals should be held accountable for their actions and words of

deceit. We find these actions unacceptable.

We find the words spoken by those who sit in respectful positions of our institutions who have knowingly

and intentionally misled the citizens of this state into believing that continuing the use of the Fighting Sioux name

would harm the university and its athletic programs, said committee spokesman Frank Black Cloud. Words that

were spoken of marginalizing UND's chances to enter the Big Sky Conference, harming UND's athletic programs,

and to the direct impact of being unwelcome into the Big Sky Conference are statements that are spoken with the

intent to deceive the citizens of North Dakota into believing UND would not get into this conference being known

as the Fighting Sioux. One would have to question the actions of those who sit in powerful positions of our

institutions and challenge these individuals agenda and reason for turning to speaking with two tongues.

We continue to embrace eighty years of traditions that were bestowed upon UND as a gift by our

forefathers is something that we cherish, said committee member Archie D. Fool Bear. We continue to pursue

our right of due process in light of those who seek to destroy what we find sacred and speak the truth. We will

vigorously defend the truth, our heritage, our customs from the actions of those who are in pursuit to destroy our

pride, honor, respect and integrity. We see a worthy opponent who has resorted to a strategy of win at all costs.

That is a dangerous game plan in which we will not participate. As citizens of North Dakota, we continue to stand

on truth and principle. This is more proof that the Fighting Sioux name should stay and those who speak with a

deceptive tongue should move on.

The #SaveTheSioux ballot initiatives committee has launched two petition campaigns aimed at keeping

UND known as the Fighting Sioux; one to Repeal the Repeal of the law protecting the Fighting Sioux name and

logo from retirement, and an initiated measure to place the Fighting Sioux name in the state constitution. The

Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect is currently suing the NCAA over their Native American team

name, imagery, and mascot policy. Information on all these activities can be monitored atFacebook,Twitter, and

atwww.savethefightingsioux.com.

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