Fighting Over Sioux
| Fighting Over Sioux | |
|---|---|
Theatrical Release Poster | |
| Directed by | Matt Fern |
| Written by | Matt Fern |
| Produced by | Matt Fern |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Fighting Over Sioux is an American documentary film directed by Matt Fern about the controversy surrounding the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.
Background
The film centers on the long-running North Dakota Fighting Sioux controversy, a dispute over the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo by the University of North Dakota (UND) athletic teams.[1] The nickname and logo were placed on the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s list of "hostile and abusive" Native American imagery in 2005, prompting sanctions that prohibited UND from hosting or wearing the imagery during post-season play unless it received approval from both the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes, a condition that was not met by the deadline.[2] UND ultimately retired the Fighting Sioux name and logo and adopted the nickname North Dakota Fighting Hawks in 2015 following statewide debate, legal challenges, legislative action, and a public vote on the issue.[3]
Production and release
Fighting Over Sioux was filmed over a seven-year period.[4] Production included interviews conducted across North Dakota, including Grand Forks, Fargo, and Bismarck, as well as on the Standing Rock, Spirit Lake, and Turtle Mountain Indian reservations.[5]
In 2015, Fern launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for post-production of the film. The campaign exceeded its $50,000 goal, raising $51,816.[6]
The film premiered at the Portland Film Festival[7] and later won Best Documentary at the South Dakota Film Festival.[8] Following its festival run, Fighting Over Sioux received a limited theatrical release in the region. The film made its television broadcast debut on WDAY in 2021.[9]
References
- ^ "New documentary shows the fight that ultimately changed UND and more, forever". KXNET. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ^ Branch, John (March 3, 2016). "With Sioux Nickname Gone, North Dakota Hockey Fans Are Fighting Change". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "UND replaces interlocking ND logo with Fighting Hawk symbol". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "Seven years in the making, documentary about Fighting Sioux nickname controversy to be released this spring". InForum. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ "Documentary about UND Sioux nickname saga debuts". InForum. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Bennett, Brien comes to Grand Forks to promote Fighting Sioux documentary". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "2017 Portland Film Festival announces lineup". Film Pulse. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ "Fighting Sioux documentary featured at SDFF Aberdeen". Aberdeen News. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ "WDAY to premiere documentary examining UND's Fighting Sioux logo". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved November 25, 2020.