Supporters of the controversial "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo of the University of North Dakota are still hoping the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe holds a referendum on the issue.

Tribal members submitted a petition to ask for a referendum. But the tribal council never acted on it.

"We're still holding out hope that the Standing Rock will allow the people to have a vote," Eunice Davidson, a tribal member, told The Washington Times. "If they did, I really believe most people would support it."

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education retired the nickname without hearing from the tribe. It's not clear what would happen if the tribe supported it.

The board had until November 30 to hear from the tribe. The Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation already voted to support the nickname.

Get the Story:
Backers fight for Sioux logo (The Washington Times 4/15)
Stenehjem: N.D. higher ed board 'squandered' nickname retention opportunity (The Grand Forks Herald 4/15)
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Some Opinions:
RJ Beatty: Political correctness not always applied equally (The Burlington Times News 4/14)
Dr. Thomas Hunt Letter: Administration’s tepid support hurt nickname (The Grand Forks Herald 4/15)
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North Dakota Supreme Court Decision:
Davidson v. North Dakota (April 8, 2010)

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