My recent column on the drowning death of former UND men's hockey player Marty Schriner drew letters and phone calls from his former teammates and fans alike who remember him with fondness.
Last week's column offering suggestions on ways that UND could work with Sioux tribes in North Dakota to reach an agreement beneficial to both sides for continued use of the Fighting Sioux name also generated reader response.
Let's go straight to the mailbag.
From Jeff L., on Schriner: "I lived with Mary for a year and can echo the comments by Chris Gotziaman and Jon Larson (also former Sioux teammates) about his softer side. When I got married two years ago in Rhode Island, the Schriners made it out. It meant a lot and that was Marty, 'shirt off the back kind of guy.' He will be missed. FYI, Gotziaman gave a tremendous eulogy at his funeral."
From Ken K., on Schriner: "I loved your column on Marty. I knew him well in college. He will be missed."
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From Scott J: "I used to love to watch Marty play. It was good to learn that he was a kind and decent man off the ice. I am sure his life touched many in positive ways."
And because of space limitations, here's a condensed sampling of some thoughtful replies to the column on how UND could better work with the Sioux tribes in the state and perhaps retain the Sioux name for its athletic teams.
From Van L: "The monies raised through license fees are not a buy-off. Think of the education dollars this would afford to the Native American citizens. . . . Nothing will work until we all look at what the name does positive against negative in a public way."
From Charlie K: "Paying the tribes is just the wrong thing to do. It gives the impression, real or imagined, of a modern day 'Manhattan Island' deal. Also, approval by the current tribal councils does not guarantee continued support from future councils. The problem is NEVER going to go away."
From Roben A: "One other thing could be to get the students involved from the College of Business and Public Administration at UND. Approach it from all angles, not just a law and medical school standpoint. If poverty is an issue, give the members of the Sioux tribes a chance to get an education but also encourage them to go to places other than Indian studies. Teach them how to run a business, or start one up, and who knows, maybe we'll see the best businesses pop up in North Dakota through a program such as this."
From Laura B: "Maybe it is not the idea that UND needs a new approach as much as it is one of the public's need to gain an understanding of what UND already may offer. You fail to even mention that the School of Law (at UND) is already home to the Northern Plains Indian Law Center."
From David J: "I would suggest the university go beyond the law and medical schools and really distinguish themselves with programs that would help Native American students enroll and succeed at UND, regardless of the degree pursued."
From Mark F: "The university should acknowledge that these images belong to the tribes and that non-Native Americans serve, at best, only as stewards. The university ought to (re)commit itself to consistent collaboration with the tribes in permissible, respectful uses of Sioux imagery. The tribes should (re)consider whether non-Native Americans, including UND, can indeed honor a people through respectful use of related imagery. And whether the university's continued use of the logo presents an opportunity for the tribes to reclaim tribal heritage and eliminate ignorance by increasing positive awareness while elevating the role and importance of Native American history and culture."
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Virg Foss, who retired from the Herald in 2005, writes a weekly column. He can be reached at virgfoss@yahoo.com or at (701) 772-9272.
