Sculpture “Big Elk” at the KANEKO exhibition

OMAHA, Nebraska (Nebraska) – “For the natives, this is truly inspiring. It gives us the feeling that we are no longer invisible.”

The 10-foot-tall sculpture of Chief Big Elk, which the artist calls “a year and a half tall,” is hard to miss.

A statue of Omaha Chief Big Elk is now on display at an art studio in downtown Omaha.

“I really tried to portray the great leadership and courage of Chief Big Elk,” said artist Benjamin Victor. “As a tribal leader, he was first and foremost a warrior, but he was also a visionary who saw the troubles to come.”

Victor worked on the sculpture for about six months. He wants people to see the strength and dignity of the last blood chief of the Omaha tribe.

“It is great to be aware and remember this history and understand that we must remember our indigenous people in this area and respect the land … that they were here first,” Victor said.

Judy Gayashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, told 6 News that the sculpture will give Indigenous children something to admire.

“Most people think we don’t exist anymore,” Gayashkibos said. “Many people think that we are all gone and dead, but here in Omaha there are many urban Indians, so they can come here and feel connected to past history. We are the first people, but we will always be here.”

The sculpture of Chief Big Elk is made of clay, and before it is cast in bronze, it still needs some finishing touches. The artwork will then travel to its permanent home on Lewis and Clark, landing on the riverbank.

“I hope this will give recognition in a space where people [can] study and find out that these people were already here before the arrival of the settlement and lived on this land,” Gayashkibos said. “They loved this land and it was their spiritual part.”

The sculpture is currently on display at KANEKO on the 11th and Jones until February 12, from 1pm to 5pm daily. The entrance is free.

The sculpture will be dedicated to Lewis and Clark Landing this summer.

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