Indian Nicknames: Boys Named Sioux

No one can doubt that through American history Native Americans have been treated unfairly. And even though the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (why has no one thought to change THAT office title?) is making every effort to bring the majority of Native Americans into the mainstream of society, the fact that there are objections to the use of Indian mascots or team names borders on the ridiculous.

No one has (yet) suggested that major league football, basketball, hockey or baseball teams drop their names. The list includes the Chicago Blackhawks, Kansas City Chiefs, the Washington Redskins, the Golden State Warriors, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. Atlanta even has someone called "Chief Nockahoma" who comes out to dance whenever a Brave hits a home run. Atlanta began an "audience participation" stunt called The Tomahawk Chop, which has now spread to other sports stadiums. There doesn't seem to be a huge outcry about that. The idea of a "tomahawk" tends to bring up all those Western movies where we see Indians massacring white settlers. In another complaint, the University of Illinois, called "The Fighting Illini" were forced to remove their Indian Chief mascot. And efforts are underway to eliminate "Indian"-sounding names for school teams from coast to coast.

"The use of American Indians as sports mascots has been an issue for at least three decades. Since 1969, more than 600 schools and minor-league teams have dropped nicknames deemed offensive by American Indian groups, according to a study by Sports Illustrated.. Nearly 100 colleges and junior colleges and about 1,500 high schools nationwide have Indian or Indian-related nicknames and mascots" (D'Anmgelo C1).

A small town in Western North Carolina is proof of what is happening: "To some, he is an abiding symbol of rousing school spirit. To others, he is a 30-foot lawn jockey--an unhappy accompaniment to the insulting nicknames of the school's boys' and girls' sports teams, the Warriors and Squaws...School officials, meanwhile, fear a draining court battle, estimating that fighting a federal lawsuit could take five years, cost $500,000 in legal fees, and jeopardize $8 million a year in government aid, which the district would lose if it was found to be violating civil-rights laws and not willing to comply with them" (Gammage A3). So, in a sense it is about money as much as a sense of Native American pride, or some tribes feeling insulted...However, many Native Americans DO object to their symbols being used by athletic teams. Since the early 1970s, individuals and organizations--such as the American Indian Movement (AIM)--have sought to eliminate the use of Native American names, mascots, and logos by sports teams. They use several key arguments, foremost among them being racial stereotyping" (Eitzen and Zinn 49-50).

There are, of course, two sides to the overall issue: "Defenders of Native American names, logos, and mascots argue that their use is a tribute to the indigenous peoples. Native Americans, the argument goes, are portrayed as brave, resourceful, and strong. Native American names were chosen for sports teams precisely because they represent these positive traits.

In some cases, Native Americans are fighting back. "Charles Cuny knew his team's nickname and logo would offend some people. Actually, he hoped it would. And he doesn't care...Cuny and several students at the University of Northern Colorado called their intramural basketball team the 'Fightin' Whites'...Cuny, a Lakota Indian, is one of three American Indians on the team that is protesting a local high school's use of the nickname 'Fightin' Reds'" (D'Angelo 1C).

But what about North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux"? The complaints seem to be more about the word "fighting" as the tribal name, "Sioux." There have been complaints from alumni and others that this seems demeaning by portraying the Sioux as "fighting"- that is, fighting white men during ther move Westward. In fact, "In 2000, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education ignored protests from college alumni and decided to keep the Fighting Sioux as the team name. This decision was made despite complaints from tribal governments, the National Indian Education Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and many other organizations determined to change the name" (Banks 2). It seems that several athletic as well as university associations have banded together to attempt to change the name and provide some reasons for doing so. They claimed that it is particularly awkward for an American university, which endeavors to teach and model respect for others and sensitivity to their perspectives, to widely and prominently employ a logo and nickname that a substantial number of American Indians and their organizations have said and continue to say is offensive and demeaning.

Unfortunately, the University of North Dakota is being punished for sticking to its athletic nickname. "The National Collegiate Athletic Association is considering moving a basketball-championship tournament away from the University of North Dakota because of the institution's Fighting Sioux mascot. The liberal use of Indian-head logos in the university's arena, where the tourney would be played, has spawned the dispute -- and spurred a continuing controversy at North Dakota" (Bosslett 1)..

Among the opinions deriding the continuing use of the "Fighting Sioux" name is this letter, which states, in part:

"Without question, the name "The Fighting Sioux" is a very derogatory and stereotypical label and the product of European American linguistic colonialism and racism. It is a very oppressive and condescending name for Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Peoples because it focuses only on conflict and provides no context for the conflict or fighting. Used alone, and only in reference to UND's school name, this label has absolutely no redeeming social or cultural value that could make it a name to be proud of. Indeed, terms that are synonymous with "fighting" are belligerent, combative, antagonistic, and destructive. (Yellow Bird 1).

Most universities that have some sort of Indian name or mascot for their athletic teams have done so without thinking the names are demeaning of providing some sort of racial stereotyping.

There are many at UND who feel that the name for the hockey team should remain. Supporters say the name is used respectfully and is a source of pride for alumni, athletes and fans. The school's hockey team won the Division I championship last year, and its women's basketball team won three consecutive Division II titles, from 1997-99. What's more, the name has been around for some seventy years.

One has to realize that there are some minorities in this country who are u9ltra-sensitive to the names by which they are called. But, franklym what is demeaning or stereotypicalk about "Figuhting Siooux?" And why is North dakoa suddenly beset by complaints, especially by the Lakota who, if nothing else, have for the most part been successfully integrated into American society as a whole. Yes, there are still injustices against Native Americans. Yes, they have a greater among of joblkessness and alcoholism and too many are still living onresverations. But, in general, the opportunities native Americans have are certainly equal to that of any other part of American society. Picking, for whatever reason- whether it is ideological, looking for publicity, or trying to get a payback for grievances incurred by our ancestors and theirs- it seems unfair to penalize athletic teams for their choice of names.

There are certainly derogatory names for various racial and ethnic groups. And, in many cases, those who use those epithets deserve to be fired (as Don Imus was) or otherwise forced to apoplogize. But, North Dakoita, founded as a state with a peaceful Indian (that is, Native American) population cannot possible feel that "Fioghtin' Sioux" is derogatory

With the NCAA attempting to refuse to permit hockey playoff games to be held at the UND, the school had to go to court to sue. It is a shame that the money which had to be spent to pursue legal action coujld better have been spent for additional scholarships, professors, facilitgies or improved classrooms. Luckily, UND won the case: "The University of North Dakota won an injunction today against the NCAA for its efforts to enforce its new rule banning American Indian-related nicknames....The ruling enables UND to host a Division II playoff game this coming weekend." (Zywicki 1).

It is sad to relate that some tribal councils of the Lakota and Nakota nations (who used to be known as Sioux) have voted in favor of the NCAA sanctions, some voices saw no harm: "''Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see the use of an Indian tribe as a nickname as being derogatory,' wrote Bryan Zollman, sports editor for the Sauk Center Herald in Sauk Center, Minn., located near the North Dakota border. 'You would think these nicknames are a symbol of pride and tradition, for both the teams and the tribes,'' Zollman wrote" (Melmer 6).

Team names and mascots are intended to be a source of pride, not to offend anyone or any group. The University of North Dakota is surely aware of the traditions of the people who inhabited this territory long before the settlers came. UND is not John Wayne shooting Indians by the dozens.

What's next? Are Russian-Americans going to complain about the Cincinnati Reds, or bird lovers argue about the Stanford Cardinal? Will the Catholic Church challenge the St. Luis Cardinals or the Anaheim Angels? UND is not a group of people intending to take advantage of disadvantaged people. It is a seat of higher learning as well as a group of sports enthusiasts cheering for their teams as they "fight" to earn a right to the playoffs and ultimate championships. They're men and boys "named Sioux." And they play with pride.

REFERENCES:

Banks, Serenity J.: "'Fighting Sioux' Name Sees New Advocate in Protest:
Thirty Years of Conflict and Still No Resolution" Lakota Journal, 2000

Bosslett, Linda: "NCAA Treads Warily in North Dakota-

Critics of Fighting Sioux mascot say tournament should not be held on the campus" The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2002 chronicle.com/weekly/v49/i13/13a05901.htm

D'Anegelo, Tom: "Look Hard! Are Yopu Offended? If Not, Maybe the Fightin' Whites Will Make You Think Again. Their Protest Reignited the Debate About Nicknames and Mascots Like Florida State's Chief Osceola" Palm Beach (FL.) Post April 4, 2002

Eitzen, D. Stanely, and Zinn, Maxine Baca: "The Dark Side of Sports Symbols" USA Today Magazine, Jan. 2001.

Gammage, Jeff: "Mascots Prompt Federal Probe" Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 28, 1999

Melmer, David: "Mascot Logos Still Hot Button Issues" Indian Country Today, Sept., 23, 2003

Yellow Bird, Michael James: "LETTER): Executive Vice President UND Alumni Association and Foundation"

Zywicki, Todd" "UND Wins Injunction Versus NCAA On Fighting Sioux Nickname" (Posted Sept.. 13, 2006) Trackbacks