American Indian Veterans Memorial Item Labels

Veterans Memorial Exhibit

Item labels

Edited by Deb Paddison, 9/13/12

 

Allan Houser (Haozous)
Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994
“Unconquered II,” 1994
Bronze, Artist’s Copy

On Loan from the collection of Tia Chiinde

 

Michael Naranjo

Santa Clara Pueblo, b. 1948

“He’s My Brother,” 2001

Bronze, edition of 10

“The scene from ‘He’s My Brother’ must have taken place on too many occasions all around the world, and although the uniform one wears may be different, the sentiment remains the same. In combat, close relationships are built as one walks the fine line between life and death, and one would readily lay down his life for his brother. I dressed these figures to represent what I was familiar with as I walked through the rice fields of Vietnam.”

—Michael Naranjo, 2012

Loan courtesy of the artist

 

Michael Naranjo

Santa Clara Pueblo, b. 1948

“The Gift,” 1998

Bronze, edition of 10

“In creating this piece, I was asked to depict something that would represent all veterans. I chose the figure of the Indian to represent the ‘indigenous Veteran,’ the Native warrior. His arms are uplifted, releasing a dove, a universal symbol of peace. I came up with this concept to represent men and women of any race, creed or belief who served in the defense of the beliefs of their homeland.”

—Michael Naranjo, 2012

Loan courtesy of the artist

 

N. Scott Momaday

Kiowa, b. 1934

“The Fear of Bo-talee,” poem

From In the Presence of the Sun, 1992

And

N. Scott Momaday

Kiowa, b. 1934

“Stone,” 1976

Graphite and wash

 

White Swan

Crow, 1851-1904

Untitled

Ink and watercolor on muslin, 1890

White Swan was a scout for the U.S. Army under Gen. George Custer. Most of the action in these 12 vignettes relates to the Battle of Little Big Horn, where he artist was severely wounded during the action on June 25, 1876. He was transported off the field in an ambulance. He depicted this event in the scene on the bottom row, second from the right. Even though he was disabled by serious wounds, he continued to serve as an Army scout.

Gift of Mrs. John W. Kieckhefer

NA-PL-CR-O-1

 

Flag-Raising on Mt. Suribachi

Photograph by Joe Rosenthal, February 23, 1945