North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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 North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Position On:
Use of School Nicknames, Mascots and Logos at Educational Institutions in North Dakota
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition opposes the use of nicknames, mascots and logos which refer to Native American tribes at educational institutions in North Dakota. The NDHRC is committed to working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights, those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity. The human rights of Native Americans who are students at and work at such schools are being violated by the continued use of these nicknames, mascots and logos by being subject to derogatory T-shirts and chants while attending sporting events, and otherwise on and off campus. This also includes those who are not Native American and who deserve to not be subjected to the T-shirts and chants.
The Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins by recognizing the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 26 states that “[e]ducation shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups….” The use of Native American nicknames, mascots and logos interferes with the educational institution’s ability to fulfill this mandate.
More information on the human rights concerns of the use of the Sioux nickname and logo at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is available at the website of “Building Road Into Diverse Groups Empowering Students,” a University of North Dakota student organization dedicated to the progressive change of the nickname, at http://www.und.edu/org/bridges/index2.html.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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