Mark Young

    If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the University of North Dakota’s (UND) new sports logo, designed to enhance the school’s image and marketability, will receive more than its verbal share.
    Controversy arose almost from the moment the new sports emblem, a profile of an American Indian man complete with feathers and streaks of war paint, came into public view November 22, in the home of the school’s hockey team, Engelstad Arena.
    As first year president Charles Kupchella stood next to the exposed logo he was jeered by Wambdi Wastewin, a UND alumnus, who verbally scolded Kupchella, saying, “Shame on you for mocking my people in this way. Shame on you.” Wastewin then left the conference in protest and was followed by about ten others.
    Although the logo and nickname enjoy the overwhelming support of students and alumni, a small but dedicated group detests the university’s choice of symbols so much that they have resorted to vandalism against the school in the name of their cause.
    The use of the old logo and the “Fighting Sioux” nickname had been under fire for several years, leading some to demand a complete departure from the Sioux logo. Warned one student upon Kupchella’s arrival, “You can go down in history as a man who made a positive change, or you can go down in history as…another tool of oppression.”
    The new logo is the creation of Native American artist Bennett Brien, a graduate of the University of North Dakota and a holder of a Master’s Degree in fine art. Brien’s design is not intended to replace the green and white geometric designed Indian head (the UND symbol since 1976) that is currently being used, but is offered as an alternate.
    “The intention, of course, is that our sports programs are trying to connect with what’s believed to be the spirit, the attributes of the people who originally lived here,” Kupchella told WDAZ News upon the logo’s unveiling.
    UND leaders noted that they had consulted with over 30 people, including students, alumni, and members of various indigenous tribes, before adopting the symbol.
    Earl Strinden of the UND Alumni Association pronounced, “The mail I get is over 90 percent—probably 96, 97 percent—against dropping the name ‘Sioux.’”
    These facts have not placated the protesters, though, many of whom also point to the fact that Brien is not Sioux. He is a Chippewa.
    Bill Bray of the UND Department of Social Works insinuated that Brien sold out in order to alleviate financial difficulties. “[Brien] was on very hard times,” Bray told Campus Report. “He was having a very difficult time and he was offered a substantial sum of money.”
    “In any community there’s somebody you can find having a difficult time,” he added, “and they’ll do whatever is necessary to feed their family.”
    Bray also had harsh words for the new President. “I know you’re new to the University of North Dakota and new to the Indian world,” Bray said of Kupchella, “your understanding is incomplete and I don’t know who has been advising you.”
    Kupchella, much to the dismay of alumni and other supporters of the school’s logo, has responded to such criticism by declaring the issue still open and stating his plans to meet with more Indian students and tribal leaders to discuss it. “If it isn’t working then clearly it needs to be changed,” he remarked. “But I haven’t concluded that it isn’t yet.”
    Still, dedicated Native American activists condemn the University and any other organization which uses Native American images as mascots or team names. The activists feel that the use of such images and names is not sympathetic to Native American heritage.
    Similar protests have been seen at other universities around the nation, as well. Most recently, the University of Illinois came under fire for their use of Chief Illiniwek as their mascot. The National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media unsuccessfully lobbied the state’s governor to ban the school’s symbol on grounds of trademark infringement. Earlier, St. John’s University was forced to change its nickname from the Redmen to Red Storm. Although Native American activists claim they are being unfairly singled out, many ethnic groups are the subject of symbols and nicknames, e.g., the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the LSU Ragin’ Cajuns. 
    Within the next couple of months, Kupchella plans on having a University council meeting to try and resolve the issue. Until that time the image will remain on UND’s campus, though not adorning any sport uniforms, but rather quietly sitting in a state of limbo while proponents and opponents parry back and forth over the issue.