Argus-Leader: What's in a name? In S.D., Redskins controversy isn't a priority

[Algernon Moncrieff]

http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2014/06/28/name-sd-redskins-controversy-priority/11643467/

American Indian Movement co-founder Clyde Bellecourt says AIM plans to force the controversy toward resolution when Washington plays the Minnesota Vikings in the publicly owned University of Minnesota stadium Nov. 2.

But on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the growing furor over the Washington NFL team's continued use of its Redskins nickname has sparked little of the clamor for change the Illini mascot did only a few years ago.

"I don't know that it's that big of an issue," says Ivan Sorbel, director of the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce. "We're dealing with some serious issues out here, bigger than NFL team names." The Chamber has taken no position on the matter, he adds.

KILI Radio could be considered the crossroads of Pine Ridge, and when it broadcast a call-in show from Albuquerque on the Redskins nickname controversy this past week, "we had some people from here call in," says KILI General Manager Tom Casey. "Yeah, there's definitely interest here. People are talking about it. But there are more nuts-and-bolts issues to deal with, 80 percent unemployment, a 70 percent dropout rate, a high youth suicide rate. These things are much closer to survival issues."

Refer also to: http://www.kiliradio.org/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. So 'Ivan Sorbel' isn't that interested in changing the name?

Colour me shocked.

And I can certainly understand why most people are a wee bit more interested in survival. But we are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. It doesn't have to be an 'either/or'.

Most Indian reservations are plagued by unemployment, youth suicide, and extreme poverty.

Anyone who wants to help out another reservation that's similarly bad off can donate to Okiciyap, a food pantry and youth program on the Cheyenne River Reservation. While they're always happy to get money, they also generally need a lot of school supplies at the end of summer, and warm clothing in good shape as the fall heads into spring.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. South Dakota is my home state. I know lots of people on the rez.

Renaming sports teams is not a big issue for the vast majority of them.

That radio station guy had it about right: "Yeah, there's definitely interest here. People are talking about it. But there are more nuts-and-bolts issues to deal with, 80 percent unemployment, a 70 percent dropout rate, a high youth suicide rate. These things are much closer to survival issues."

While I know some tribes and individual Native Americans have made a stink about it, this seems to be an issue of more concern to ultra-rad white culture warriors than anybody else.