I did tell him I was going to issue this appeal. I have talked with no fewer than several dozen American Indians on this, him included.

Because of the harshness of words like 'hostile' and 'abusive,' we have no choice but to pursue our appeal and prove -- at whatever level -- that there is no such thing here,

We had no choice but to respond to this group that says we're 'hostile or abusive. We decided we had to go after them - and that's what we did.

We've worked with the county for several years on the issue to minimize the impact on our desire to keep trees. We're working with them to allow safe approaches to airport, but at the same time (honoring) residents' requests to have tree protections.

We believe our use of the nickname and logo is respectful and appropriate. ... A recent statewide poll showed our nickname is not offensive to a majority of American Indian people and, interestingly, one of four Indians polled indicate support for UND would be reduced if we changed the name. We are awaiting the results of our appeal to the NCAA.

The NCAA unfortunately has put us in a box where we now have to defend our honor, as it were, ... They've called us 'hostile and abusive,' and we know, because we live here, that there's no such thing here. We'll have to prove it, I guess.