Tribal council won't back Fighting Sioux nickname

The Standing Rock Sioux's tribal council is backing the University of North Dakota's retirement of its Fighting Sioux athletics nickname.

The council voted 10-4 on Thursday to approve a motion that the nickname should stay retired. The Board of Higher Education has already directed UND to start planning for a new nickname.

Nickname opponent Jesse Taken Alive said the tribal council's action reflected its earlier decision in 1992 to oppose UND's use of the nickname.

Competing groups have given the council petitions opposing the nickname and asking for a reservation vote on whether UND should continue to use it.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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