Monday, October 29, 2007
Myra Peterson (Jury Member #1)
Hello, my name is Myra Peterson and I am the chairwoman of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe of North Dakota. I am a woman in my late 40's. At the time of the UND nickname incident, I was not at all concerned with the problem of the 'Fighting Sioux'. I had thought there were better things to do with my time than disputing over the nickname problem and its offensive nature to the Native American tribes around North Dakota. At the time right now, I am more concerned with the regulations of the gaming in North Dakota. I am serving as the chairwoman of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association and am more concerned with this situation than I am with the nickname problem at the time. Though there is some concern as my position in the community and with us as Native Americans. It can come as a problem, but at the moment, there are more pressing matters at hand to deal with.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
The Mascot and team name should NOT be changed and stay as it is now, because it is not offensive in any way. You're right, there are many other more important political issues to tackle rather than a team name.
Although you think there may be other issues that need to be daelt with, I think this one is a crutial issue that can be sloved easily by changing the masoct and name of North Dakotas sports teams. We as Native Americans find it very offensive.
-clyde bellecourt
Myra Peterson-
I am a member of the Hunkpapa-Lakota Oyate Tribe. I also serve as the Tribal Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and of the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association. I think that al the things that you are doing as the chairwoman of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association is a magnificent start to a better life for the Native American community. I think that we all need to take into consideration all the problems that the issue of the Fighting Sioux mascot and nickname are causing. As leaders of different Sioux tribes, we need to set an example and show that we care about all the things that are affecting our people. We need to help be the change. We need to change the names and logo of these schools and teams that are offending our community. It is an issue that needs to be solved now.
-Roy His Horse is Lightning
All though you think that other things are more important this situation should not be forgotten.
All though you think that other things are more important this situation should not be forgotten.
Tell me Myra, how does having a College name a team after your tribe affect how you live in the community? If anything, it makes people think more about you and maybe, just maybe they might help you then. Think about that.
Wes Hayden
Myra,
As a chairwoman for your tribe i find it interesting that you show negligence to the the effects of the mascot on your people. Statistics have shown that over 50% of the Native American students at UND think the name should be changed. This is a little more than half, so thats not enough of a percentage to have a direct change on the name. But when it has a direct effect on the people in your tribe in a negative way, i would think you of all people would care. There is direct correlation between feeling prejudice and poor educational achievements. Its common sense, and studies have proved it as well. This may have occurred when Native American students protested the name and were verbally assaulted, which is considered racist and stereotyping by the NCAA. One can only assume the testing scores of these students were affected for being alienated at their own school, and in their own community. So i plead with you to change your stance on the issue.
-Mike Saunnder
Dear Myra,
I think because you have such a high ranking in your tribe, you have the ability to make some changes. I say take advantage of that.
-Gunther Foy
Myra,
Think about it like this. You are a young Native American boy living on a reservation for part of your life and you have learned to respect and love its culture. But your parents have to move. Lets say your in middle school and love to play basket ball, but the name of your team was the raging sioux. You wanted to play but your parents found the name to be very offensive and wouldn't let you play. How would you feel? Also the raging Sioux was you schools mascot and logo and the kids there would make fun of you saying you look just like the mascot you don't even need a mask. Well sorry that kind of got drawn out more then I wanted it to. What I was trying to say was no matter the color/traditions we all still have feelings.
Ollie Young Bear
Thank you for voicing your opinion to me, and I would say that I do represent the Native American people here, that is why I am on the council. There are many Native Americans who don't find it offensive, and I am representing them, and I personally think that it is not worth the trouble to try and force them to change the mascot. It will cost them and us a lot of money in legal matters, and it will cost them a lot of money to change everything, and they won't want to pay for it. Also, think of the relationship we have with the school, I think that we should think of the future, and what things could come of having a good relationship with the school. Thanks for listening to my side, and thanks for your input as well.
-Chief Grand Cherokee
Myra lets break it down. The UND fighting Sioux did not make this name to put us to shame and to offend us in anyway. The name would never be passed for such reasons. They made it to give the Sioux tribe honor and pride for who they are. We represent a fighting tribe of greatness and that is the reason they made the name for their ncca university.
Post a Comment