Opposition to the University of North Dakota "Fighting Sioux"
(and not just on "athletic" grounds!!)

 

Mankato State University

Passed Unanimously on Wednesday, January 30th, 2002

Draft of Resolution to be brought before The Student Senate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Whereas: Racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law, and Minnesota State University, Mankato is committed to promoting cultural diversity and non-discriminatory practices, and

Whereas: The misuse of Native American mascots and imagery creates a discriminatory environment which promotes racist stereotypes and dehumanizes and disrespects Native peoples and cultures, so be it

Resolved: That we, the Student Senate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, condemn the use of Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations, and be it further

Resolved: That we, the Student Senate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, strongly encourage the Minnesota State University, Mankato administration to publicly reaffirm its 1979 stance denouncing the use of Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations, and be it further

Resolved: That we, the Student Senate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, strongly encourage the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus media to discontinue the use of all Native American sports mascots, team names, and logos by non-Native organizations.

 

North Dakota State University

A Resolution Pertaining to Discriminatory Words and Actions by North Dakota State University Students
(Passed 27-0-1, December 8th, 2002)

Whereas, racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law, and

Whereas, North Dakota State University (NDSU) is committed to promoting cultural diversity and acceptance of all people, and

Whereas, offensive remarks regarding a person’s race, sex, color, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation degrade individuals and undermine NDSU’s mission statement of fostering "the personal growth of individuals by creating an environment which nurtures intellectual, social, and cultural development."

Therefore, let it be resolved that the NDSU Student Senate expresses disapproval of all use of discriminatory words and actions based on a person’s race, sex, color, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation, and

Let it be further resolved, that the NDSU Student Senate also encourages all fans of NDSU athletics to refrain from the use of derogatory words, chants and apparel based on a person’s race, sex, color, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation at any time, this includes, but is not limited to, the use of phrases such as "Sioux Suck."

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Yatskis
E & A Senator

Whitney Weston
University Studies Senator

Megan Pinke
High Rise Senator

Prairie Rose
Student at Large

 

A Resolution Pertaining to the Use of Ethnic Nicknames, Mascots and Logos by Universities
(Passed 23-5-0, December 8th, 2002)

Whereas, racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law, and North Dakota State University (NDSU) is committed to promoting cultural diversity and acceptance of all people, and

Whereas, some NDSU students are offended by the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos, and

Whereas, the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee advocates the elimination of American Indian mascots, and

Whereas, the negative portrayal of American Indian names and symbols promotes racist stereotypes and disrespects American Indian people and their culture, and

Whereas, the United States Commission on Civil Rights (April 13, 2001) called for an immediate end to the use of American Indian names and symbols by all educational institutions other than American Indian educational institutions.

Therefore, let it be resolved that the NDSU Student Senate strongly opposes the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos on the campus of North Dakota State University, and

Let it be further resolved that the NDSU Student Senate encourages the athletics department to not use American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos in media publications and at athletic events on the NDSU campus.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Yatskis
E & A Senator

Whitney Weston
University Studies Senator

Megan Pinke
High Rise Senator

Prairie Rose
Student at Large

 

SCSU Student Senate

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/~stugovt/res2.htm

CD 001 Was Passed with an overwhelming majority on Oct 25 2001

Whereas: The use of American Indian Mascot names is offensive to many people on campus and around the country.

Whereas: SCSU has vehemently opposed the use of any discriminatory or slanderous language in the past.

Therefore: SCSU Student Association opposes the continued use of Native American Mascot names, symbolism and imagery.

 

SCSU Student Association
(Passed 9/23/04)

The St. Cloud State University Student Association, by a vote of 17-0-1, issues the following statement in regards to the American Indian mascot issue.

"The St. Cloud State University Student Association offers their full support and encouragement to the various student groups on campus that have chosen to engage in a wide range of educational activities to inform the campus and community of the hurtful, shameful, damaging and racist nature of American Indian mascots and team logos. Furthermore, this association recognizes the courage that it takes to educate, advocate, and organize for social change. We would like to commend the students involved in organizing around the issues of these offensive symbols, names, and mascots. Additionally, the student association recognizes that the use of American Indian mascots is damaging to our community as a whole and as such we must work to educate our community on this very serious issue."

SDSU Student Senate
(Passed 2/25/02)

WHEREAS it is the mission of South Dakota State University to provide education which is sensitive to the social, physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being of all people, and

WHEREAS racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law, and South Dakota State University is committed to promoting cultural diversity and non-discriminatory practices, and

WHEREAS any use of American Indian names and symbols in athletics is demeaning whether intended or not, and

WHEREAS the use of American Indian names and symbols creates a discriminatory environment which perpetuates racist stereotypes, promotes practices that trivialize American Indian cultures, traditions, and spirituality, and disrespects and dehumanizes American Indian people, and

WHEREAS the United States Commission on Civil Rights (2001) calls for an immediate end to the use of American Indian names and symbols by non-Indian educational institutions, as these names and symbols condition students to believe that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, so be it

RESOLVED that we the Student Senate of South Dakota State University calls upon all non-Indian educational institutions now using such names and symbols to discontinue such use, and be it further

RESOLVED that we urge all other educational institutions to join in a concentrated and united effort to end such use.

 

SDSU Academic Senate
(Passed 3/26/02)

WHEREAS it is the mission of South Dakota State University to provide education which is sensitive to the social, physical, cultural, and spiritual well-being of all people, and

WHEREAS racial discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law, and South Dakota State University is committed to promoting cultural diversity and non-discriminatory practices, and

WHEREAS any use of American Indian names and symbols in athletics is demeaning whether intended or not, and

WHEREAS the use of American Indian names and symbols creates a discriminatory environment which perpetuates racist stereotypes, promotes practices that trivialize American Indian cultures, traditions, and spirituality, and disrespects and dehumanizes American Indian people, and

WHEREAS the United States Commission on Civil Rights (2001) calls for an immediate end to the use of American Indian names and symbols by non-Indian educational institutions, as these names and symbols condition students to believe that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, so be it

RESOLVED that we the Academic Senate of South Dakota State University calls upon all non-Indian educational institutions now using such names and symbols to discontinue such use, and be it further

RESOLVED that we urge all other educational institutions to join in a concentrated and united effort to end such use.

 

University of Minnesota, Duluth

RESOLUTION 2/18/02

At the UMD-American Indian Advisory Board meeting of February 18, 2002, the following resolution was presented for action.

WHEREAS, The UMD-American-Indian Advisory Board was established in 1997 to advise the Chancellor of UMD in determining the proper course of action most beneficial to the American Indian Community, and University, and

WHEREAS, The UMD-American Indian Advisory Board was ratified by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, by resolution, and

WHEREAS, the UMD-American Indian Advisory Board is a statutory board enacted by the Minnesota legislature and signed into law by the Governor, April
1998, and

WHEREAS, The UMD-American Indian Advisory Board opposes the use of American Indian/Native American names, in general, that contribute to racism, prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, and that are derogatory towards the original inhabitants of this land, and

WHEREAS, The UMD-American Indian Advisory Board further opposes the use of American Indian logos and mascots by non-Indian institutions, and

WHEREAS, The UMD-American Indian Advisory Board specifically opposes the University of North Dakota's use of the name: "Fighting Sioux" for the above
reasons,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the UMD-American Indian Advisory Board opposes the use of American Indian/Native American images and team names by non-native institutions, in general, that contribute to racism, prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes that are derogatory towards the original inhabitant of this land, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The UMD-American Indian Advisory Board specifically opposes the University of North Dakota's use of the name: "Fighting Sioux" for the above reasons.

The above resolution was presented, discussed, and acted upon. The resolution passed on a unanimous ballot, February 18, 2002.

John Day, Co-Chair
George Himango, Co-Chair

 

University of South Dakota

SENATE RESOLUTION URGING BAN ON USE OF ETHNIC NICKNAMES, MASCOTS, AND LOGOS BY ATHLETIC TEAMS

The University Senate of the University of South Dakota urges the North Central Conference (NCC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to ban the use by any member institution’s athletic teams of a nickname, mascot, or logo that depicts an ethnic group other than one that has a direct and close tie to the heritage of the institution. The predominant ethnic composition of the entity that founded or governs an institution and of the institution’s student body or geographical community may establish an ethnic group’s direct and close tie to the heritage of the institution. An institution’s long-standing use of a nickname, mascot, or logo that depicts an ethnic group does not establish the depicted ethnic group’s direct and close tie to the heritage of the institution. An institution should be permitted to use a nickname, mascot, or logo that depicts an ethnic group that does not have a direct and close tie to the heritage of the institution only if the use is formally sanctioned by the governmental or other recognized entity that represents the depicted ethnic group.

The University Senate urges the University administration and all University representatives to the NCC or NCAA to use their best efforts to bring about adoption of the ban recommended by this resolution by no later than June 30, 2003, and implementation of the ban by no later than June 30, 2005. The University Senate will receive a progress report by its February, 2003 meeting.

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
POLICY ON NATIVE AMERICAN LOGOS AND NAMES

The attached five-point policy on Native American Logos and Names was passed by the Athletic Board. Since it represents a new campus policy it was presented to the University Committee, which provisionally approved it and has now placed it on the Faculty Senate agenda.

Discussion of this policy began shortly after Wisconsin played a home basketball game on December 29, 1992 against the Alcorn State "Scalping Braves." Several UW-Madison American Indian students, staff, and faculty were concerned about the Alcorn State nickname and asked the Athletic Board to establish a policy which would ban athletic competition against any team that used an American Indian mascot or team name. Later, the Great Lakes Intertribal Council, which represents most of the major Indian groups in Wisconsin, also asked for such a ban.

A subcommittee of the Athletic Board, chaired by Professor Barbara Wolfe, thoroughly examined the issue, invited a number of American Indians to speak, and consulted with the office of the Vice Chancellor for Legal and Executive Affairs. This subcommittee then proposed the new policy to the full Athletic Board. The entire Board also carefully considered the issue, asked a representative of the Legal Affairs office to make a presentation, and invited several members of the University Indian community to be heard. The Board then adopted a policy, which it then forwarded to the University Committee.

Associate Vice Chancellor Gary Sandefur, who participated in a number of the meetings, has written the following summary of the process and policy:

I think that the process worked very well, and the policy is a sound one. We discourage the use of Indian images and mascots on our campus, and we refuse to schedule games with teams, other than those to which we have long-standing commitments, that use Indian mascots, images, or team names. The university has taken a clear stand in opposition to the use of American Indian mascots, images, or team names, but in a way that does not infringe on the freedom of speech or expression.

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department adds its name to those who desire to stop the use of American Indian symbols and names by athletic teams. We are concerned that the use of war chants, American Indian related mascots and logos by teams both perpetuates a stereotype and causes insult to many Native Americans. We therefore adopt the following policy:

  1. We will discourage all teams from bringing their American Indian mascots to UW Athletic facilities. Furthermore, we will request that any band not play war chants and that the cheerleaders/pompom squads also not use American Indian gestures, chants, and so forth.
  2. For all users of UW Athletic facilities, we will discourage planned events using an American Indian Mascot, symbol, names and activities if that use is disrespectful.
  3. The sale of athletic wear or other souvenirs with American Indian mascots or logos will be discouraged on the grounds of the University's athletic facilities.
  4. UW representatives to our conferences (Big Ten and WCHA) will present our policy to other members of the conference and the Board of Regents. They will convey to the conference the sensitivity of the use of such names and logos and ask the conference to consider appropriate policies. The intent of this presentation is to exert a leadership in our conferences and in the UW system which will lead institutions with such mascots and names to review the nature and uses of Native American names and symbols.
  5. Scheduling. During the regular season, UW Athletic Department will not schedule any team with a Native American mascot or nickname unless the team is a traditional rival or a conference member.

Mascot Logo Policy drafted by Sociology Chair, Gary Sandefur (Chickasaw Nation). The policy limits all college teams (except UND and IU) from playing at UW-Madison.

UW-Madison Faculty Document 1023 - 13 Sept 93