It seems arrogant for one group of people to dictate what another group must find offensive, but that is standard procedure for the National Collegiate Athletic Association, better known as the NCAA.
Under pressure from the NCAA, the University of North Dakota is dropping its “Fighting Sioux” nickname. The NCAA assumes that the name must be offensive to American Indians — namely the numerous Sioux Indians in North Dakota.
There have been similar instances of colleges around the country being forced to drop Indian nicknames, under threat of serious penalties if they refuse. But the North Dakota case is especially ridiculous.
Two North Dakota Sioux tribes were asked to vote on whether they approved of the Fighting Sioux nickname. The Spirit Lake tribe endorsed keeping the nickname, which had sensibly replaced an earlier name: the Flickertails, a type of squirrel. But officials cut short the time period for the Standing Rock tribe to vote; its input was not included before the nickname was officially dropped.
So at least one North Dakota tribe liked the name, and the other might well have. Yet the “Fighting Sioux” will be no more because the NCAA assumed Indians are “offended.”
What is offensive about sports teams bearing a name such as the Fighting Sioux? It implies a gritty, never-say-die attitude. That is a positive reflection on American Indians.
Earlier surveys have also shown support for Indian nicknames. Ninety percent of Indians in a University of Pennsylvania survey said the NFL’s Washington Redskins name was not offensive, and Sports Illustrated got similar results on the same question.
Wouldn’t it be better for Indians to speak for themselves, rather than for others to tell them what they must find “offensive”?