The controversial "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo of the University of North Dakota is no more.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education voted to kill the name on Thursday. The decision came after the North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the board's authority on the matter.

Indian students, alumni and faculty at UND long opposed the use of the Sioux name, which first started in 1930, and its associated imagery. The NCAA spelled death for the nickname after placing it on the list of "hostile and abusive" mascots.

The battle soon shifted to the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe when UND reached a settlement that required tribal approval of the name. Spirit Lake members voted to support the name but leaders at Standing Rock declined to address the matter.

The Board of Higher Education had until November to get Standing Rock's approval but the court decision yesterday spurred final action. A press conference will be held this morning to explain how the nickname will be retired.

Get the Story:
N.D. higher ed board retires Fighting Sioux nickname, logo (The Grand Forks Herald 4/9)

North Dakota Supreme Court Decision:
Davidson v. North Dakota (April 8, 2010)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Keep 'Fighting Sioux' nickname for North Dakota (4/8)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe puts off vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (4/7)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe considers 'Fighting Sioux' petition (4/6)
Column: Debate over 'Fighting Sioux' all about the money (3/25)
North Dakota court hears case on 'Fighting Sioux' name (3/24)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe pushed on 'Fighting Sioux' vote (3/23)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to get 'Fighting Sioux' petition (3/12)
Standing Rock petition calls for vote on 'Fighting Sioux' (3/3)
Column: It's past time to get rid of 'Fighting Sioux' nick (2/26)
Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' not honoring Indian people (2/22)
Board takes no action on status of 'Fighting Sioux' (2/18)
Letter: Give tribes time to think over 'Fighting Sioux' (2/17)
Erich Longie: Divide and conquer for 'Fighting Sioux' (2/15)
'Fighting Sioux' supporters want Standing Rock vote (2/10)
Column: Long saga over 'Fighting Sioux' continues (12/21)
Judge to issue 'Fighting Sioux' decision this month (12/10)
Judge to hear tribal member suit for 'Fighting Sioux' (12/9)
Michael Eshkibok: Colonization and 'Fighting Sioux' (12/7)
Tom Iron: A tribal backer of 'Fighting Sioux' name (11/23)
Police probe potential threats over 'Fighting Sioux' (11/20)
Standing Rock chairman not pushing 'Sioux' vote (11/19)
Editorial: Give tribe more time on 'Fighting Sioux' (11/16)
Editorial: A bizarre delay for 'Fighting Sioux' nick (11/12)
Judge orders delay on 'Fighting Sioux' nickname (11/10)