Indian Sports Logo by Gregory
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UND has not picked a new name (it likely won't revert to its pre-1930 handle, the Flickertails), and Fighting Sioux supporters aren't giving up. Spirit Lake and 1,000 supporters from Standing Rock recently filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA, claiming violation of religious rights. The evidence includes a Grand Forks Herald article from July 21, 1969, that reported that "a band of Standing Rock Sioux formally gave UND teams the right to use the name of 'Fighting Sioux' for their athletic teams." Fighting Sioux boosters insist that Spirit Lake tribe members also took part in this ritual blessing. (UND recognizes that a ceremony took place but says its intent remains unclear.) "We fight for what Spirit Lake wants," says Frank Black Cloud, a Fighting Sioux advocate and member of Spirit Lake. "We are a sovereign nation. The name is an enormous source of pride. To have that taken away from us--it's more hurtful than you can possibly understand."