Two People, Two Paths

Little Bighorn Indian Memorial (1999), unbuilt

Since the arrival of European settlers, native Americans have fought to preserve their heritage despite pressures from the dominant society. In this proposal, the struggle of Plains Indians is described by contrasting geometries. For these tribes and others, the circle embodies the cosmos and is the basis for many artifacts and structures. However, the square typifies the dominant society's favor for building at right angles, as illustrated by the Custer monument itself. Together, these shapes construct a narrative about past and present intersections between these two worlds.

The memorial is organized by a series of concentric rings. A low, outer wall of stone defines the circle of history, or broken hoop. Ruptured by the "collision" of a black, granite grid, it presents interpretive material explaining the events surrounding the Little Bighorn battle; a pipe of sorrow signals the beginning of the narration and emits a mournful tone as the wind passes through it.

At the center of the site is another ring, the circle of hope. Enclosed by a concrete wall with planters of sagebrush at the top, five curved benches represent the tribes (Cheyenne, Arikara, Arapaho, Crow and Lakota) who fought in the battle. Tiles, created by children from each of the five tribes, will provide a mosaic-like inner wall while a flame burns at the center. As these elements create an intimate space for storytelling and gathering, the four sacred directions (represented by the colors red, white, yellow, and black) radiate outwards.

Partly inspired by Black Elk's story, contrasting paths also reiterate the dualistic theme. A straight path of dark, square concrete pavers reflects the mainstream value of time...linear, expedient, and efficient. However, a curvilinear walk of crushed terra cotta depicts the red sacred path, emphasizing the quality, not speed, of a life's journey; it leads to terra cotta pavers along the memorial's perimeter, the new hoop of Indian nations. Both connect the Custer monument to the new memorial, yet intertwine to form the difficult road to unity.