Thanks to a tip from a Native-L subscriber I have run down the
following information taken from a home page promoting this artist's work.
As you'll read, they, "the promoters," say that the Wounded Knee Survivors
Association, in 1991, unanimously accepted the sculpture for placement in
Wasichu's proposed Wounded Knee Tribal Park. This statement runs counter to
the 3.20.95 statement by the Wounded Knee Landowners Association that
they'll have nothing to do with the sculpture in any way shape or form.
It is very easy to get confused by the differences between the
Wounded Knee Survivors Association (WKSA) and the Wounded Knee Landowners
Association (WKLA). The latter group are the actual landowners from whom
the Government is proposing that land be wrested. (See the bottom of this
message for some tips on what is what.)
An interesting item below is that "the promoters" are collecting
money for "The First American National Monument Foundation." Now, I wonder
what these funds might be used for? Perhaps to pay the sculptress for the
possession fee/transportation of that 7,500 lb. piece of probably very
expensive Carrera marble? I'd like to know where the money goes/went.
One major issue that strikes me right away is that if there is ever
gonna be a sculpture (and I do believe there ought to be), it damn well
should come from the hands of the First Nations/First Peoples, and not
follow in the tradition of the in progress Crazy Horse Monument. To even
propose/consider that such a work of art come from any hand other than one
of the First Nations/First Peoples shows the continuing gall of Wasichu as
regards the Massacre at Wounded Knee.
I've captured two photos which show separate views of the
sculpture. These can be accessed via the Wounded Knee Home Page at the
following address <http://www.sover.net/~jsd/WKmasscre.html>. As always,
any comments would be welcomed.
[ The photos are on a page linked to the page just mentioned under the
heading "Wasichu Sculptress Proposes Wounded Knee Memorial," and the
URL for that page is "http://www.sover.net/~jsd/JansenPicts.html"
I have added
--Gary (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ]
It appears the unwanted sculpture of Ta' Shunke Witko (Crazy Horse)
is titled "Transformation Through Forgiveness":
Transformation Through Forgiveness
The sculpture, Transformation Through Forgiveness was unveiled at
the Mission in Santa Barbara, California ['91?].
The monument "Transformation Through Forgiveness" poignantly
captures the moment of truth in the transformation of man evolving into
higher self "the Eagle", a symbol of freedom and power recognized by all
people of all nations . This is the journey every man, woman and child
aspires to take if they are to rise about the experience of "self". By
"putting on the wings of the Eagle", they find their higher power, purpose,
unity with God, humankind, Spirit and truly are free.
****In August of 1991, the monument, donated by the sculptor
Francis Jansen, was unanimously accepted by the Wounded Knee Survivors
Associations to stand at the Massacre site at Wounded Knee, South
Dakota.****
To aid in the appropriates of such a significant site, ****a bill
is currently passing through Congress legislating the National Tribal
Memorial Park at Wounded Knee in South Dakota. This historic and sacred
site where the last major Indian massacre occurred in December of 1890 has
stirred profound interest and now will become an important commemoration
for Native Americans and all peoples.****
The National Tribal Memorial Park at Wounded Knee will include
national ceremonial grounds where Native Americans of all tribes will be
able to hold tribal meeting and ceremonies. ****There are also plans to
build an amphitheater that will focus visitor's attentions upon Francis
Jansen's centrally located monument, "Transformation Through
Forgiveness."****
"Transformation Through Forgiveness" stands 13 ft tall. The
monument carved from Carrara marble weighs approximately 7,500 pounds.
Francis Jansen stands 5'2" and weights only 120 pounds, and at the time of
carving the monument in 1991 she had only two years of experience in
sculpting. Francis sees great significance in the fact that a beginning
sculptor such as herself with no art background or teachers could carve
with such resulting mastery. She says of the process of bringing forth this
figure: "It was an awesome experience and the miracle to myself is that I
don't draw and used no material drafts. Yet, through the whole experience,
I knew exactly what I was doing: profoundly so, I know I was Spiritually
guided."
In 1989, one year after starting to carve stone, Francis traveled
to Pietra Santa in the north of Italy, home for hundreds of years to many
of Italy's master carvers. While visiting a rock yard near Carrara known
for its fine marble, she found herself strongly drawn to a large elongated
piece of marble. As she looked at the stone, it seemed to her that the
stone visually opened up and she saw a Native American man lying with his
face on the ground. Francis felt overwhelmed by a great deep sadness and
knew that she was destined to release from the rock the image contained
within.
Francis speaks of the great honor and privilege involved in the
opportunity to give back to the earth and its peoples, with gratitude and
deep respect. She emphasizes the global importance in the innate
understandings held within the spiritual and cultural life-style that
Native American peoples represent on the earth.
In the interim period, ****awaiting the unfoldment and completion
of the National Tribal Memorial Park at Wounded Knee, "Transformation
Through Forgiveness" is on a ceremonial pilgrimage to symbolically
encourage and inspire, share reflection and compassion, create tolerance
and humility. That we may reach out to the long-suffering and ask
forgiveness regardless of who or why. Even though it may not be our hand
that was raised to strike, let us not forget our lineage and let us look
into our future with the deep wisdom of loving unification for the freedom
of the one and the all.****
The monument "Transformation Through Forgiveness" is now at La Casa
de Maria, an ecumenical Retreat and Conference Center at 800 El Bosque Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Please call for viewing or inquiry.
Tel. 805-969-5031.
Donations for this project are welcome and may be sent to :
The First American National Monument Foundation
Dwight Davis, Chairman
2747 Everett Lane,
Tallahasee, Florida, 32312.
A non-profit organization.
For additional information about this project and the artist,
Francis Jansen, call (805) 643-1798.
Note:
For those that are interested, please refer to the following Web
site files "Who Should We Believe?" site address
<http://www.sover.net/~jsd/WKb.html> and "...Are We About To Do It Again?",
site address <http://www.sover.net/~jsd/WKc.html>.
At site <http://www.sover.net/~jsd/WKmasscre.html> "Wounded
Knee...a collection" you will find an overview and ancillary files.
Nvwhtohiyada...
http://www.pobox.com/~jsd
(Best viewed w/Netscape)