North Dakota voters have resoundingly signaled they want their state's flagship university to retire its Fighting Sioux nickname. But in Sioux County, public opinion is murky.
The results there were being closely watched because the county is home to most members of an Indian tribe that hadn't weighed in on the controversial topic. Although a slight majority of county residents voted Tuesday to retire the moniker, turnout was sparse there. Statewide, it was higher than any primary election in 50 years.
The issue has divided the state for decades. It boiled over seven years ago when the university was placed on a list of schools with American Indian nicknames that the NCAA deemed abusive. Those colleges were told to dump the names or risk sanctions against their athletic teams.
