ND lawyer says board can drop Fighting Sioux name, tribal members want time to voice opinions

Lawyer: ND board can drop Fighting Sioux nickname

BISMARCK, N.D. — An attorney for North Dakota says the state higher education board can drop the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname before the deadline in a court settlement.

But an attorney for eight Spirit Lake Sioux tribal members told the state Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Board of Higher Education must allow more time for members to voice their opinions on the matter.

The board is trying to drop the nickname before a Nov. 30 deadline set as part of a settlement between UND and the NCAA, which considers it hostile to American Indians.

Lolita Romanick represents tribal members who say the nickname helps promote awareness of Sioux Indian culture. Assistant attorney general Doug Bahr (BAR) says the members weren’t part of the settlement and have no legal standing.