Members of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation continue to express their support for the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo of the University of North Dakota.

Tribal members voted to support the nickname in a reservation-wide referendum. But they also blessed the symbol in a a 1969 pipe ceremony with then-UND president George Starcher.

"When we share the Pipe, it is our word; it is binding..." the letter from the Committee for Understanding and Respect states. "We cannot allow this ceremony to be cast aside by those who seek to remove our name and culture from the face of the earth."

The letter was sent to the Big Sky Conference. Some schools in the conference won't play UND because of the "Fighting Sioux" controversy.

Get the Story:
Spirit Lake Group: Opposition to Sioux Nickname is Harassment (WDAZ-TV 9/28)
Spirit Lake group: Opposition to nickname is harassment (The Grand Forks Herald 9/28)

Related Stories:
Editorial: A plain and simple truth about the 'Fighting Sioux' (9/12)
Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation seeks control over 'Fighting Sioux' (9/7)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname to return in another 50 years (9/5)
Column: 'Fighting Sioux' nickname not really that offensive (8/31)
Opinion: A slow and painful death for 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (8/29)
Opinion: Stereotypes of Indian people don't belong in athletics (8/25)
Editorial: Another Indian war plays out over 'Fighting Sioux' nick (8/17)
North Dakota plans to eliminate 'Fighting Sioux' by end of the year (8/16)