Logo Failure

Even though we have NDSU green and gold blood coursing through our veins, we are not without sentiment regarding the UND logo and mascot issue.

Long story short, North Dakotans have one last opportunity to raise the UND Sioux logo issue up out of a path destined for doom. That’s if North Dakotans want to.

That the UND Fighting Sioux mascot and logo is considered to be hostile has left our Native American and Immigrant communities at odds. That the logo and mascot have been used without the immediate blessing and support of the majority of Native peoples has necessitated change either in the logo and name itself, or a change in our use of it such that it truly honors our Indian heritage and peoples.

We know folks on both sides of this issue. Frankly, we cannot blame Native Americans who find our use of their heritage hostile and unacceptable. However, now we are at a point where we can redefine the logo and mascot’s use such that all parties are satisfied, where we can reinvent our terms of understandings for the Sioux name and images, where we can truly and honorably hammer out an agreement that represents a win for each side.

North Dakotans would appreciate such a resolve. North Dakotans would prefer some sort of continuance of the Sioux identity at UND, we believe. North Dakotans would expect a fair and reasonable settlement that assures voice and representation of Native peoples in the decision-making process from here on out.

Somewhere, somehow, we are expecting the clouds to open and the moment to happen and for someone to find a way to make peace with our Native American people who feel so strongly about this issue and who are not happy with its current use.

But we don’t see that happening.

What we do see is the same old over and over again. Stalemate. Miscommunication. A lack of empathy.

In our opinion, the UND Sioux name can truly be a keystone to genuine honor and respect, if we so desire. The name saved has more potential to catapult North Dakota into a better future than the name lost, we believe. A negotiated and satisfactory settlement protecting the UND Sioux name would spell victory for both sides, truly. The name lost into history will be accompanied by a deeper wedge than any of us want between native and immigrant peoples here in North Dakota.

Fighting for Indian rights is part of fighting for the Sioux name at UND. When and if that transformation is true and present in the hearts and minds of predominately white people representing the government’s side of the UND Sioux logo issue, then we have an opportunity to find common, higher ground and settlement.
Native Americans have more than enough reasons to suspect something less. Now we have opportunity to earn their trust. We hope that is the end result. Otherwise, we’ve failed.

Downtown Tips

Fargo rakes in more kudos for downtown all the time. A great place to live, work and play. Halloween, however, tipped the scales and confirmed our downtown’s place in the hearts of young people looking to go out and have fun.

Sure, Halloween this year fell on a Saturday night. What more could you ask? And on top of that, the bars extended their day by one full hour due to Daylight Savings Time kicking in at 2 a.m., moving the clocks back to 1, giving even more time to revel.

But the massive turnout said everything. Hundreds upon hundreds of people in costume, AND in character. There was a literal parade up and down Broadway. We can’t say we’ve ever seen anything like it.

We would also like to commend Fargo’s Finest for their entirely sensible and pleasant approach to what could have easily been a very chaotic night. Our guess, however, is that more folks than could be counted were in fact jealous of the impeccable law enforcement costumes walking in tandem in and out of the crowd all night long, only to find out they really were police and they really did look authentic in uniform.

Our downtown has reached its tipping point. It’s the place to be. It’s the place to have fun. It’s the hippest spot in all of North Dakota.
And the word is out.

Artist Reception

We’re inviting everyone, friends we have and friends to be, to Nichole’s for a very special artist reception, featuring HPR covers designed by HPR Publisher Raul Gomez and eminent local artists like: Willie Block, Ben Hamilton, Gabe Haney, Janeen Kobrinsky, Punchgut, Modern Man, Matt Mastrud, Wade Myszka, Jeff Nelson, Donnie Renner, Randy Schwartz, Sara Watson and Jesse Anderson. Raul will be there in person along with guests and various artists.

Nichole’s Fine Pastry, 13 8th St S, on Thursday, November 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. 701.232.6430

November Birthdays

Happy birthday to the following this month: Joel Heitkamp, Jamie Thorfinnson, Nicci Deconcine, Brett Bernath, Jo Grover, Shirley Johnson, Judith Feist, John Peterka, Don Faulkner, Tony Slavens, Sureshi Jayawardene Anaman, Aaron Skjerseth, Erin Ceynar, Kervin Wyatt, Louis Hamilton, Jim Gompf, Keith Elston, Mark Durcop, John Hanson, Laura Strand, Mary Strand, Jon Cossette, Octavio Gomez Jr., Heidi Echola, Dolly Stromstad, Erin Morgan, Roger Demers, Barbara Burgum, Terri Aldrich, Jeff Clary, Diane Minor, Liz Pearce, Fred Hagen, Alice Smette, Jeff Nelson, Jack Lubka, Jeff Pearson, Kathy Wentz, Brad Berger, Tama Smith, Larry Biri, Bob Kurkowski, Jason (Mobey) Moberg, Andrea Heldt, Darren Shaw, Linda Coates, Margo Evenson, Dawn Morgan, and Mark Gilbertson.

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)