Origin of "Fighting Sioux"

How the nickname came to be

By Chuck Haga“For years we have been pursued by a massive Bison in all Aggie publicity,” an anonymous student—quite possibly Austin—lamented in a letter to the editor of the Dakota Student published on Sept. 16, 1930.

Against the “thundering herd” of uniformed and helmeted Bison fielded by what then was the North Dakota Agricultural College, the Aggies, UND sent squads of … Flickertails. Variants of gophers. Rodents.

But “A Student,” as the writer signed his letter, noted that UND was becoming something of a power in football, scheduling such teams as Army and looking to make a national name for itself.

So “it wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he wrote, “to turn the tables and stage a buffalo hunt in the good old Indian manner. By the way, how’s that for a name, the ‘Sioux’?”Some of the student's reasons for choosing "Sioux":“The strong Indian tribes that first inhabited North Dakota were members of the Sioux nation. Man and beast fell before their strength. There is nothing weak about that name, such as ‘Flickertail’ might suggest.”

“Besides being easily rhymed for yells and songs, Sioux expresses a real sentiment,” E.A.H. wrote. “Sioux, says the dictionary, is an Indian of one of the most important tribes of North America. … They are warlike, of fine physique and bearing and a proud race.”

“Henceforth the Flickertails of North Dakota University will be no more,” the story began. “The defenders of the gridiron, of the basketball court, and of the cinders no longer need labor under the strain of bearing a cumbersome caption, for they have been newly baptized ‘Sioux.’ Consequently, it will be a tribe of warriors swooping down upon their invading foes tonight … instead of a scurrying swarm of gophers.”Comment:  A strong, warlike, tribe of warriors. A people known only for their physical attributes: brawny, brutish, bulky, gorillalike, hefty, hulking. A people not known for their art, oratory, philosophy, or religion. In short, primitive, barbaric, and savage.

So the stereotypes were present from the beginning. If you think "warlike"--someone who conquers and kills for a living--is a compliment, you'll love "Fighting Sioux." Huns, Mongols, Goths, Vikings, Conquistadors, Nazis, and Sioux...the greatest butchers and slayers in history.

For more on the subject, see North Dakota Orders UND to Keep "Sioux" and "Fighting Sioux" = "Obnoxious Baboons."