Sioux Name Backers Persevere

Proponents of keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname at the University of North Dakota held a petition drive outside the Ralph Engelstad Arena Jan. 14.

A judge previously denied the group’s request to collect signatures inside the 12,000-capacity venue during a UND men’s hockey game because venue officials don’t allow political activity at the facility.
The group instead set up outside to work toward its goal of collecting 13,500 signatures by Feb. 7.

Spirit Lake Sioux tribe members support the use of the nickname and logo but UND officials want to drop them since the NCAA claims their use is derogatory to Native Americans.