Standing Rock Sioux council members vote against nickname

Fort Yates, N.D. (AP) A member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribal council says the council has voted to reaffirm its opposition to the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

Councilman David Bird says the vote last Friday was 8-to-1 against the nickname and logo. But he said two members chose not to vote, and six others were absent.

UNDer a settlement between UND and the NCAA, the school has three years to lobby for support of the nickname among the state's Sioux tribes.

UND spokesman Peter Johnson says he won't comment on the tribal resolution because he has not seen it. He says UND is looking forward to conversations with the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-15-07 0729CST | save this article / add to your favorites list