12 December 2003

Today, a few students, staff and faculty went over the University Barnes and Noble bookstore Christmas tree, which remains covered with logo-bearing paraphernalia despite numerous memos sent to both UND Admin and the B&N Corporate staff in Minneapolis explaining the educational, religious and racial problems and asking that those items be removed. We sat reading books or stood quietly next to the tree, with a few of our "People Not Logos" signs and the handout that I have attached. Our manner was respectful and not at all disruptive. We did not block access in the store or interfere with customers in any way.

Out of our own alertness to the other serious stress in this community (including the Sjodin abduction) we have put off any such "read in" for three weeks. We also made the choice today to not call the press but rather to stage a quiet and dignified (and small- there were about 7 of us, total) event. We did this only after pursuing all "though the channels" options for almost 6 weeks.

For reasons not yet explained to me, UND called the campus police rather than talk to us directly. UND police came to inform us that the lobby of the store is "private property" and that leafletting and signage are not allowed. The responding officer was gracious and professional, no problem there. As a group, we decided for today to move the signs and leafletting outside onto the sidewalk (it's about 20 below zero with the windchill, so we lasted about 30 minutes) and/or to sit in the bookstore cafe, with signs on the tables but not "displayed."....

Sharon Carson
Associate Professor
English/ Philosophy and Religion
University of North Dakota

Press Release:

FOR A BETTER UND, PEOPLE NOT LOGOS

We are confident that UND and Barnes and Noble College Books would not place religious imagery from any other religion, such as Judaism or Islam, on a campus Christmas tree display. The controversial "Fighting Sioux" logo includes eagle feather iconography, which carries profound sacred meaning in many traditional American Indian religions.

Regional tribal councils, the North Dakota and Minnesota Indian Education Associations, almost all American Indian related program on campus, regional and national Civil Rights organizations too numerous to list, and the National Congress of American Indians, have all asked UND to stop using the logo. These requests have been ignored.

While efforts to address the larger issues continue, the logo should not be placed on a display directly tied to a major Christian holiday. It is the equivalent of hanging the Jewish menorah on a Christmas tree, something that would immediately be seen as problematic to people from a variety of spiritual or philosophical traditions, and is especially inappropriate at a public university.

Christianity is a deeply treasured and majority religion in our region and we wish people peace and rest during a spiritual season already marked by ample sadness this year. Please join us in asking UND and Barnes and Noble College Bookstore to respect the independence and sanctity of all religious traditions, and to respect the dignity of all members of our community, by removing the symbols of American Indian traditional religion from the store Christmas tree.

For a Better UND, People Not Logos.