Im sorry sir. You are lying.
You are a hate filled lier.
http://www.und.edu/org/bridges/index2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
An example of the volumes available at the above link detailed hositlities between the Tribes, UND, its fans, faculty and administrators:
UND-BRIDGES
Grand Forks, ND 58203
January 29, 2002
President Charles Kupchella
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Dear President Kupchella:
As you know, the BRIDGES organization met with you on November 28, 2001 to discuss concerns about the logo and nickname issue on campus. Our primary purpose for that meeting was to meet with you for the first time to discuss concerns that have developed from the sale of the offensive t-shirts during the October and November time period. Other topics, however, were discussed at that meeting and we note them below and request a follow-up response to some of the requests made at that time.
The t-shirts were being sold to the public by a private business in the Colony West Plaza that depicted an American Indian performing a sexual act on a buffalo. Our initial question presented to you was: "what are you going to do now that your policy has not been enforced regarding offensive behavior at games at UND?"
Another question raised by BRIDGES members at that meeting was the copyright issues for UND and how they have been misrepresented and, essentially, misused with offensive material like those t-shirts. Your response is that the t-shirts did not contain any UND copyrighted materials per se. We contend that the issue should be raised to these businesses outside of the University's usual business associates. The viable question here would be: "how much revenue is accumulated and where does the money go in these and other instances?" For that matter, how much money is generated with the use of the logo and nickname and where does all that money go?
At that time, you responded that both the Alerus Center and the Ralph Engelstad Arena will no longer allow individuals entry into the building if they are wearing the t-shirts. We also asked about the businessman who made the offensive t-shirts and then solicited the campus fraternities and sororities to buy them. You indicated that you would be looking into that matter and were also concerned about infringing upon freedom of speech, which, of course, is the First Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S.
We also discussed the possible appointment of individuals to the Indian Initiative Program that is apparently under consideration by the N.D. Board of Higher Education. We expressed at that time that our concern is that we would like the Board to give ample consideration of the qualifications of those individuals and especially to other, higher qualified individuals, for those positions.
Several members of the group brought up the incident of the fraternity members that had dressed in American Indian and cowboy costumes and walked up and down University Avenue. The group members had asked what it would take at that time to see that similar incidents do not go unnoticed by the university and its officials and, consequently, punished for that matter. Your response to this was that if UND had suspended or kicked these students out, then the University might be sued by them and their families. Our direct response was "what about the American Indian students and the importance of following up on ethics violations." You asked our group also at that time, what could you have done to satisfy all of the people involved. Certainly, the remorse of the fraternity leader was published, however, the students faced the public display remain horrified and humiliated by what UND appears to have condoned by not either suspending the fraternity members or sanctioning them in some manner. What is UND going to do in the future to respond to similar actions?
The BRIDGES members came up with a solution to what you could do to prevent this from happening in the future, if you will recall. We suggested that you host a column in the Dakota Student at least once a month and highlighted a certain aspect of the American Indian culture, to promote understanding and respect for other people. One example we used was to dispel the myth that American Indian students get free education. We even suggested that you were not expected to write the columns yourself, rather that a scholar could be invited to submit articles for it. Your response was not overwhelmingly positive to this simple and appropriate suggestion.
Your direct response to the example with free education was that this was an isolated issue. Several members of BRIDGES at the meeting informed you that it, indeed, was not isolated and that it was almost a daily occurrence in classes to hear that American Indian students receive free education.
The group also reiterated the fact that this was, indeed, a human rights issue, to which you responded by saying that it was a "human courtesy" issue and that you did not see things that way. BRIDGES stands by the belief that this is, in fact, a human rights issue. You were read the United Nations statement of Human Rights and are aware that some of the claims that American Indians and other students reiterate to the UND administration are that the same rights expressed by the UN are being violated on this campus. Clearly, in researching these issues, it is apparent that what some people find offensive are what others feed off of to enjoy the satisfaction of entertainment. That is the normal reaction by people who are not fully aware that these rights are trampled up on in their own back yard.
It appears that the same rhetorical answers you have given to the public will be reiterated in your response to these questions. We hope, however, that the face to face meeting we have provided and the follow-up meeting we have scheduled for next week will clarify some of the misunderstandings between the issues that affect this University and the State of North Dakota as a whole, but especially the UND student body.
We urge you to look deep within and truly understand that people on this campus do suffer the hardship of isolation with respect to sporting events and many other school-sponsored activities because of the logo and nickname that the school has chosen to be recognized with throughout the nation -- the same school for which a logo and nickname were changed by a university president (who was appointed like you) not so long ago.
The ongoing logo controversy has directly caused immense and widespread division among all peoples of North Dakota and beyond. Please, help us to put an end to the division between students, between Indians and non-Indians, between tribes, UND staff, and community members. The current name and logo are the direct cause of all this division and you can unite everyone by changing the name to one EVERYONE can rally behind!
Also, please the attached November, 2000 Chronicle of Higher Education article on Indian mascots. We request that you also address some of the issues that were raised in that article.
Sincerely,
BRIDGES Members
Dear Lord, We come before you and humbly ask you to grant our prayer for a veil of protection to be placed over Donald Trump. May your will be done. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
