MANDAREE, N.D. -- In response to the Herald's editorial, "Nickname plan respects both sides" (Page D1, Oct. 19):
It has been said that justice delayed is justice denied. The wanton violation of the human rights of indigenous peoples all across North Dakota and, by extension, all across the U.S. by academic, civic and political leaders must end now -- not January 2010.
Contrary to what the Herald wrote, it is not about winning or losing. It is about comporting to human rights law. It certainly is not about narcissism as the Herald suggests saving "face" or retaining "dignity." How ironic that the newspaper would have the audacity to write of "dignity" while an entire race of people have been marginalized by the those who have and those who continue to pursue their dehumanizing practices against an entire race, the indigenous peoples of this hemisphere.
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate has nearly 3,000 acres of land that extend into this state. Yet, the powers that be arbitrarily excluded the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate from these "historic" deliberations.
The state must abandon its draconian practice of divide and conquer. The state must honor all mitakuyepi (my relatives). The violation of indigenous peoples' human rights can not be segmented into isolated incidents. We walk as one on the Red Road.
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While it is said Lady Justice is blind, surely even she can see the gross violation of the indigenous peoples' human rights in this instance. For more than 100 years, supporters of the UND nickname and caricature/logo have basked in the protection of "just-us." They've thumbed their noses while saying it "just-is" to the native people who stood in defense of their human rights.
When can the indigenous peoples say with confidence that justice, not "just-is" or "just-us," has come. Surely, we can all agree that time is now -- not January 2010.
