Current News
Headlines
Artist of Vandalized Exhibit Returns to Campus; Open Forum on Bias Announced
For Immediate Release -- April 22, 2009
Native American House and American Indian Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announce an open meeting called “Vandalism and Bias on Nevada Street” in response to destruction of pieces from the art installation titled Beyond the Chief.
Last month, at least three of the 12 outdoor sign plates displayed at various locations on the 1200 block of West Nevada Street on campus were vandalized and will have to be replaced. The damaged signs include the ones naming Meskwaki, Sac, and Potawatomi.
“I find it distressing that this art exhibit which is meant to educate everyone on campus about the indigenous history of Illinois has been repeatedly targeted in this destructive way,” said Robert Warrior, director of Native American House and American Indian Studies and the exhibit’s curator.
At the open meeting on Wednesday, April 29, at 4pm at the Asian American Cultural Center, Edgar Heap of Birds, the Cheyenne-Arapaho artist who conceived the exhibit, will be among the speakers. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Renee Romano has also asked to be part of the meeting. This meeting will provide an opportunity for people on campus to discuss the significance of the recent vandalism and other crimes directed towards American Indians and other people of color in an open forum.
In his curator’s statement about the exhibit, Warrior said, “As the University values diversity and seeks to create and support an environment that celebrates the cultural histories and contributions of all groups and individuals, Mr. Heap of Birds’ artistic intervention provides a unique opportunity for the community to gain greater knowledge about the local and national history of Native Americans.”
The following co-sponsors have participated in the exhibit and are committed to seeing the damaged Beyond the Chief signs restored and to raising community awareness surrounding the issues of vandalism and bias: Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, Asian American Cultural Center, Department of African American Studies, Asian American Studies.
More News About American Indian Studies
:: Job Announcement--Native American House Director
::
Native American House Moves to Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations
:: Hate Crimes at UIUC: Native American Art Vandalized for Fifth Time
:: Norman Akers Prints at Alice Campbell Alumni Center
:: Billy Mills: Honor Each Other Through Service and Action
:: Wounded Knee is an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
:: Edgar Heap of Birds’ Exhibit "Beyond the Chief" Comes to Illinois
:: Native American House / American Indian Studies Statement on November 15 Event
:: American Indian Studies, Native American House Welcomes New Director