I'm not one for conspiracy theories. Often, the simplest explanation is the right one. How is it that stories of Bigfoot have persisted my entire life but nobody has ever caught one, dead or alive? Simple. He doesn't exist. Same applies for just about any kind of conspiracy theory that pops up.
Yet, I can't help but think that there are manipulative forces at work when it comes to the news of 'Fighting Sioux' supporter Eunice Davidson gathering enough petition signatures to put the slur issue on the Standing Rock ballot.
My stance on conspiracies notwithstanding, the University of North Dakota has shown itself to be ridiculously sneaky when it comes to this issue. Whether its the Engelstad family backing a $1 million scholarship endowment/bribe for Native students at UND or flying tribal flags without tribal approval, the UND and the forces of Ralph Engelstad are not above any number of sneak moves to gain favor in their long-standing battle to use caricatures and slurs as advertising agents.
So color me suspicious, but when a single person does enough legwork by themself to put a highly controversial issue up for a vote of legitimacy, I can help but think of two possibilities. The first one is that Davidson is a highly motivated and passionate activist on this particular issue. The second one is that she'll find a fat check from the Ralph Engelstad Foundation.
That is a bit low; I can't accuse someone of being a paid operative to dehumanize and commercialize their own people. That's why I'm also tagging this entry as 'conspiracy theory.'
There's nothing to prove it. But some people might find reason to beleive it.