cultural resources

Oregon Department of Education Considers Mascot Issue

March 8, 2012Adrea Korthase3 Comments

The Oregon Department of Education is taking public testimony on the issue of American Indian mascots in public schools on March 8th and 9th. There are several newspaper articles on the topic including ones here, here, here, and here.

The Topic Summary for tomorrow’s discussion is here.

CNN In America on the Navajo v. Urban Outfitters Suit

March 2, 2012March 2, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

Navajo Nation Sues Urban Outfitters for Trademark Violations

February 29, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher7 Comments

Here are the materials in Navajo Nation v. Urban Outfitters (D. N.M.):

ExhibitG_Pages1through21

ExhibitG_Pages22through42

And the press release (2012-02-28 Navajo Nation Press Release): Continue reading →

Erich Longie on the Fighting Sioux

February 27, 2012February 27, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here, via Pechanga.

An excerpt:

The committee’s lawsuit against the NCAA is intended not to win in court but to sway the voting public. I read the NCAA’s motion to dismiss, and it reads like a 30-page spanking. It would be laughable if it weren’t for the harm it will do to our sovereignty: Every time a tribe files and loses a frivolous lawsuit, it erodes our tribal sovereignty even more.

Selected Legal Docs in Custer Battlefield Museum/Christopher Kortlander Controversy

February 24, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Interesting series of cases about a litigious dude (news coverage):

DCT Order Unsealing Case

Search Warrant Application

Kortlander v BLM FOIA Order

Kortlander v US Complaint

US Motion to Dismiss Kortlander Complaint

Federal Court Order re: Restitution for Killing of Navajo Members

February 24, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Harwood (D. N.M.):

DCT Sentencing Order in Harwood

In short, the court disallowed restitution for the costs of Navajo healing ceremonies because they were not “funeral or related services” under the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982.

Minn.-Duluth Hockey Fans Taunt UND Hockey team with Racial Epithets — UPDATED

February 24, 2012February 24, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Yet another reason to make this nickname and image go away as soon as possible.

News coverage here: http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2506639.shtml?cat=10335

and response:

http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2509661.shtml?cat=10335

Update from A.K.:

In addition, an excerpt from the UMD student section (http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2508695.shtml?cat=10349) suggests that intentions cannot always control results.

“The UMD student section prides itself on being one of the loudest student sections in the WCHA. The cheers from this hockey series were meant to intimidate and poke fun at the UND nickname and hockey team, not the Sioux Tribe or any other members of the Native American community.

As a student section, we are embarrassed that this situation has become more than just cheers at a hockey team. We apologize for offending any parties and wish to portray a better image, both for UMD and for Duluth.”

Magistrate Report in Slockish

DCT Order in Slockish

Turtle Talk