Former Students Say...
Student Endorsements "Before Taking Zendejas' Native Studies Class" "After Taking Zendejas' Native Studies Class"

HONORABLE MENTION: PHIL JACKSON

Posted on September 4, 2008 - Filed Under Honorable Mention, POLL, Indian Mascots |

Phil Jackson, Head Coach for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, the University of North Dakota on August 25^th. Honor Indians Institute would like to honor Coach Jackson, not for his receipt of the honorary doctorate, but for his remarks to the UND community. Coach Jackson used his public appearance at UND to address the “Fighting Sioux” mascot controversy. He suggested that his alma mater “…do the right thing…” and they “…have to rethink probably our nickname and moniker.” Jackson also stated that the “Fighting Sioux” mascot was “not beneficial” to the Lakota people, and that “…objectification of people is limiting to ourselves… as well as to the people objectified.” Honor Indian Institute honors Coach Jackson for using his stature in the UND community for taking this opportunity to try to gracefully resolve the “Fighting Sioux” mascot controversy.