Charlie Sheen: Spirit Lake Tribe

Here is the latest in the Fighting Sioux nickname – A notice of intent to appeal was filed with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week by lawyer Reed Soderstrom – I am not a lawyer by any stretch of the imagination, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I cant see an appeals courting taking this case. I am going to predict that the appeal will be thrown out as well. Maybe one of our resident lawyers can give us some free legal advice...

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- Fighting Sioux nickname supporters at the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe have signaled they intend to appeal U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson’s dismissal of their lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association. A notice of intent to appeal was filed with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week by Reed Soderstrom, a Minot attorney who represents the pro-nickname Committee for Understanding and Respect, which sued the NCAA over its efforts to have UND drop the nickname and related Indian-head logo. The committee, authorized by Tribal Council action to speak for the tribe on matters relating to the nickname and logo, had sought at least $10 million in damages from the NCAA. It also sought reversal of the 2005 NCAA policy discouraging use of American Indian names and imagery by member schools.

I love the Fighting Sioux nickname, and there is no way that the school will ever be able to replace the Fighting Sioux nickname with anything that I consider to be acceptable, but I don’t see any way UND can keep the name “unless” the Spirit Lake Tribe wins it’s appeal against the NCAA, the cards are stacked against them this time as well. I also would love nothing more than to see the NCAA lose their law suit – I think they deserved to have that happen to them because I think they are a bunch of hypocrites. I am not holding my breath but I hope the Tribe wins.

Here is the video that came out yesterday for the Vote yes on Ballot Measure 4. Someone posted this new video on Sioux Sports this morning, I apologize if you have seen it already.

This story has taken so many twists and turns that sometimes I have to look twice to see who is doing the talking. You probably watched the video above - the Spirit Lake Tribe's Committee for Understanding and Respect is not happy with the UND Alumni Association for running ads in favor of retiring the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- In a lengthy statement released by the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe’s Committee for Understanding and Respect and the Save the Sioux Ballot Measures Committee, nickname supporters objected to the claim that “our name and likeness” could hurt UND, its student athletes and the athletics program.

“We resent this fabricated distortion and lie as an attempt to disguise the truth by creating a fear in the public,” which according to the statement has shown “overwhelming support” for use of the Sioux name at UND.

“The Sioux name and symbol instilled pride, honor and respect in (UND) athletes and filled them with the Fighting Sioux spirit,” according to the statement.
“We now find 80 years of tradition and culture under a senseless attack by those who have previously embraced these traditions and culture. This is an attack at the heart and soul of UND from within.”

Other diehard nickname supporters, including some UND alumni, have sharply criticized Tim O’Keefe, executive vice president of the alumni groups, for “abandoning” a nickname he once heartily supported and a logo he wore as a UND Fighting Sioux hockey player.