Some people in North Dakota still aren't giving up the battle over changing the University of North's nickname from Fighting Sioux to something that is not seen by many people as demeaning to American Indians.

The Grand Forks Herald reports: "A recent 'The Sioux Were Silenced' pro-Fighting Sioux social media campaign has gained almost 8,500 likes on its Facebook page as of April 29. The 'We the People of North Dakota Demand Answers Save Fighting Sioux' Facebook page was also nearing 2,500 likes the same day."

After years of debate and the threat of NCAA sanctions, North Dakota voters agreed by a 2-to-1 margin in 2012 to let the university retire the nickname. The complete history has been often told and there's a good summary in the article by Herald reporter Anna Burleson.

Burleson also writes: "Departing UND men's hockey team captain Stephane Pattyn continues to be a proponent of the Fighting Sioux name, has it tattooed on his chest and tweeted earlier this month to never let it go."

In addition, she quoted a recent graduate and soon-to-be North Dakota student talking about their affection for the former nickname.

"It's stupid that it means this much to me but really, just the thought of being something else doesn't seem right," said Aaron Rients, who graduated from UND in December and said he would consider leaving town when a new nickname and logo is chosen. "I'd have to look at that new logo all day if I lived here."

A senior at West Fargo High School, Morgan Stirling, told Burleson in an email that she has a Sioux tattoo. "To me it's not just a logo, it's a large chunk of my childhood," she said.

But the school has created a process for picking a new nickname and logo, involving a number of North Dakotans and school alumni, including Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter. The name-gathering process from the public is ending this week.

A few months back, UND president Robert Kelley told the Herald why the change is happening: "We can certainly break the rules and go our own way, but we will no longer be part of the NCAA and that isn't fair to our student athletes or our athletic programs. We would have to be independent, and in my judgment, that isn't the best position for the University of North Dakota."

You can read Burleson's entire article here.