RIP Fighting Sioux

     I liked the points that were brought up in the "In Whose Honor?" clip. The use of native american mascots for schools is a big issue. Not all of these schools, but quite a few make a mockery of native american people and their traditions. In the clip, examples of misrepresentation that were pointed out included the chants, face paint, and negative connotations or actions tied to the school's celebration of their mascot. I feel that these schools should consider these negative stereotypes that they may or may not be perpetuating. If their mascot's image or name is offensive or they are unable to honor their indigenous mascot without invoking negative stereotypes, then I feel these schools should choose another mascot.
    In the case of the University of North Dakota and their 'Fighting Sioux' mascot change controversy, I'm a little sad to see the change. I play ice hockey myself, and like many people familiar with the sport, the UND Fighting Sioux are a GOOD college hockey team. Arguably the best. Just last year one of their former players, now best American born hockey player in the NHL today, Kane and fellow UND teammate Jonathan Toews together won a Stanley Cup last year for the Chicago Blackhawks. Which is ironic when you think about how they both played for the UND Fighting Sioux and they play for the Blackhawks. Toews is now the youngest captain in the entire NHL, making history, and UND groomed him for a successful professional career. Like myself I know a lot of American hockey players who would love to play for UND, and compete each year for a national championship in their multimillion dollar facility. UND's ice hockey team is the major sport program at that school and their multi-championship team has generated a lot of recognition; and revenue of 'Fighting Sioux' merchandise is definitely going to be missed by the school when they officially change the name next season. I understand the NCAA's concern over the use of Native American mascots, but I feel like the 'Fighting Sioux' name and mascot is not negative, mascots themselves are stylized characters that portray a group of people, and their mascot is not nearly as offensive as several other major school's and even pro team's mascot images. Supposedly the origin of the Fighting Sioux came about because of UND's rivalry with neighboring North Dakota State 'Bisons'. The 'Fighting Sioux' name was intended to honor the warrior Sioux hunters who were skilled at killing buffalo. Several major colleges today who are facing similar mascot controversy, like Notre Dame and the 'Fighting Irish', have a similar mascot origin that is intended to celebrate and honor a a group of people while inspiring school spirit and teaching history. Its important to be aware of the concerns that Native American people have with mascots that negatively portray their people or traditions. A lot of these offensive mascots are outdated and times have changed now and more schools and professional teams should follow this positive trend and create a new image or revise a more respectful mascot out of respect. I do feel bad for the school of UND for being targeted by the NCAA in regards to this issue. there are a lot other high profile colleges that should have been targeted as well. There's a lot of politics involved with the NCAA and their college sports programs, and I  wonder if other schools undergoing the same mascot criticism whose power house team is a more 'popular' sport weren't targeted, because they generate more money for the NCAA, than say the college ice hockey program. It's a business and not very consistent or fair in general. A lot of schools lately are dropping sports programs because of the superior interest in favored sports like basketball or football. Ice hockey is always one of the first sports to go because ice maintenance is so costly. I feel like if UND was required to change their mascot, than other major schools and even pro teams should change their offensive mascots, regardless of how popular their powerhouse sports program is or how much money it makes. I do not believe that NCAA should get involved in these issues though. All it does is bring their business interests into the situation and this does not wholeheartedly keep in mind the interests of the Native American people or the independent school whose mascot represents them.

(For the homies..)