Devils Tower to open interpretive site, unveil world peace sculpture

By Journal staff | Sunday, August 24, 2008

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Devils Tower, Wyoming's other-worldly landform, is the nation's first national monument. It is a sacred site for regional Native American tribes and a renowned attraction for international visitors.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the National Park Service will tie those commonalities together in opening a new educational site at the monument.

Superintendent Dorothy FireCloud said the "Tribal Connections" area will provide a venue for programs discussing the tower's meaning and relationship for 20 affiliated tribes. It also will showcase "Wind Circle," the latest world peace sculpture by world known Japanese artist Junkyu Muto.

The public dedication program starts at 1 p.m. People interested in attending are urged to bring a picnic lunch and lawn chairs.

Performers will include Pine Ridge and Northern Cheyenne tribal drum groups, Japanese Taiko drummers and singers, tribal dancers from the Wind River reservation and local Western singers Lorrie Redfield and Shana Jahnig.

Spiritual leader Arvol Looking Horse, keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nations, will discuss his World Peace and Prayer Day activities. The United Nations recently honored him for his humanitarian efforts.

Local Lakota artisan Sandy Swallow, who has designed a limited edition blanket for the event and worked on other projects for the monument, also is on the program.

The Wind Circle sculpture is the third of Muto's world peace projects. He placed the first at the Vatican in 2000 and the second near the Bodhi Tree in Bodhi Gaya, India, in 2005.

FireCloud said placing the donated peace sculpture has been an effort of the entire Black Hills community. Crazy Horse Memorial donated the base stones for the sculpture, and Black Hills National Forest workers delivered the stones to the monument. Boxelder Job Corps students will provide refreshments for the reception following the ceremony.