Hearing for appeal on 'Fighting Sioux'

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GRAND FORKS, N.D., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A hearing has been set on an appeal of a judge's dismissal of a suit by supporters of the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux" nickname.

Pro-nickname supporters from the Spirit Rock and Standing Rock Sioux nations, calling themselves the Committee for Understanding and Respect, previously appealed a dismissal of their lawsuit to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Grand Forks, N.D., Herald reported Tuesday.

The committee, joined by Standing Rock Sioux member Archie Fool Bear, alleged violations of contract law and federal civil rights laws, demanding a reversal in the NCAA's policy against use of American Indian names and imagery such as "Fighting Sioux," long the University of North Dakota's mascot and nickname. The school is currently known as "North Dakota" or "UND."

In June, three days after primary election voters overwhelmingly endorsed retirement of the nickname in a referendum, the committee told a Fargo, N.D., appeals court it was denied "a seat at the table" as the controversial issue worked its way through state and federal courts, state Legislature and NCAA governing bodies, the newspaper said.

The latest appeal was scheduled for Feb. 14 in St. Paul, Minn.