It's with deep regret, according to the Dartmouth College director of athletics and recreation, that the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo were not considered before scheduling UND to play in a hockey tournament there this season.
In a letter published Tuesday in the college newspaper, The Dartmouth, athletic director Josie Harper wrote, "I must offer a sincere apology to the Native American community, and the Dartmouth community as a whole, for an event that will understandably offend and hurt people within our community."
That event is a hockey match between Dartmouth and UND. The UND men's hockey team is scheduled to play Dartmouth in Hanover, N.H., on Dec. 29.
The issue boils down to the UND "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo.
UND is one of about 15 universities and colleges across the nation affected by a 2005 NCAA ruling that American Indian nicknames, logos and mascots are "hostile and abusive." The NCAA imposed playoff restrictions that would prohibit UND from hosting playoff games or using its nickname and logo during playoff games elsewhere.
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UND is suing the NCAA over the restrictions and, two weeks ago, won a preliminary injunction against the NCAA enforcing the restrictions against the school.
Harper says UND's position on the name and logo "is offensive and wrong," and apologizes about a month in advance for the "pain" the tournament will cause. In addition to the apology, Harper writes that "a specific and continuing plan to address issues of respect and tolerance within the athletic department" will continue to be developed and that a "policy for scheduling athletic contests against institutions that support offensive nicknames and logos" is being considered at the university.
Harper's letter was published the same day as an article in The Dartmouth about recent racially insensitive incidents at the college, including the college crew team's "Cowboys and Indians-themed" formal.
The letter at first "denounces" any "affronts to the Native American community at Dartmouth" and then offers the support of the athletic department "in playing a leading role to combat racial, ethnic and sexist ignorance and intolerance" at Dartmouth.
Reach Nadeau at (701) 780-1118, (800) 477-6572, ext. 118; or snadeau@gfherald.com .
