In opposition to the University of North Dakota’s use of the “Fighting Sioux” name and Logo.

WHEREAS, THE National, fudian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American fudians, Alaska Natives an Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national fudian organization of American fudian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education offudian and Narve people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique political relationship with fudian nationals and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American fudians, Alaska Natives; and

WHEREAS, the use of an American fudian stereotype is demeaning by its very nature, whether intended as such or not, and

WHEREAS, these stereotypical symbols create an environment in which degrading acts become more acceptable and promote practices that trivialize and demean Native American culture, traditions and spirituality, and

WHEREAS, the United States Commission on Civil Rights calls for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Native schools acknowledging that such names and logos when promoted by public educational institutions, teach all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, and

WHEREAS, this is an issue of human rights because the use of such a name and symbol at the University of North Dakota limits the ability of all Native students to learn and take part in campus and community activities.

WHEREAS, the President of St. Cloud University, Roy Saigo, has expressed his full support for this work and will make a presentation to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Minnesota State College and University Board (MSCUB) on how the mascot violates student rights and creates a hostile environment; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Indian Education Association and the North Dakota Indian Education Association have both passed resolutions opposing the continuation of the “Fighting Sioux” mascot; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association was founding in 1969 to give American Indians a national voice in their struggle to improve access to educational opportunity; and

WHEREAS, former NIEA President and Indian Educator of the Year has cosponsored this resolution; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association deplores, opposes and calls for an immediate end to the University of North Dakota’s use of the “Fighting Sioux” name and its accompanying “Indian-head” symbol.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NIEA supports the aforementioned work and calls on the UND Administration to change the UND mascot from the “Fighting Sioux” to a UND American fudian student suggested mascot.:

Submitted by: Dana Goodwin-Chaffee

White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

Robert J. Swan & James R. Swan, Chippewa Cree

North Dakota Indian Education Association, Viola LaFountain, President

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NIEA Board of Directors at its October 28 – 31, 2001 meeting in Billings, Montana at which time a quorum was present.