Keeper of the Plains

The Keeper of the Plains 44 foot tall steel sculpture by Kiowa Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin and the associated heritage plaza in downtown Wichita are awe inspiring. In our minds the totality of what is there has a power and symbolism similar to the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in D.C and the Civil Rights Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center. The sculpture depicts an Indian standing with arms extended, face raised to the sky, in supplication to the great spirit.  In Blackbear Bosin’s words: “All living creatures are Indians’ brothers. The Indian lives in complete accord with nature. Everything around him is holy. All Indians feel this. And the sculpture has a way of appealing to all people with that message.”  It stands on a huge pedestal facing due east to greet the sun, at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, where Blackbear’s ancestors camped.  A bridge designed to resemble a native bow and arrow connects it to the two banks. The display in the Plaza beneath the sculpture depicts elements of Indian spirituality, including the Circle of Life, the importance of the four directions, the symbolic importance of the turtle and other elements related to Indian life, culture and spirituality.  One learns a lot and we are greatly moved by the totality of what is there.  Attached are pictures of the sculpture and a few of the plaques explaining Plains Indian culture that are beautifully presented in the Plaza.

Keeper of the Plains sculpture Wichita, Kansas







   

     
 

At the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers