Path to Fighting Sioux Nickname Retirement | Video

KVLY-TV | 6/13/2012

North Dakotans voted "yes" by a two to one margin to allow UND to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname. The Higher Ed Board is meeting tomorrow and is expected to direct UND to pick up efforts to retire the name.

A UND spokesman says the decision will allow the university to start concentrating on other issues critical to the school. Native American students say retiring the nickname will take them out of the crossfire over the issue.

"It just kind of divides the community, where you almost have to take a side and you`re going to get crap for it whether you`re pro or you`re against it. It takes away from the education," said UND student Damian Webster.

The issue isn`t completely dead yet. The group that started the first petition drive may continue to circulate another petition to get the nickname issue on the fall ballot.

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