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May 20, 2004
College of Business, University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
Senator Robert Peck, Co-Chairman
Representative Fred Parady, Co-Chairman
Senator Cale Case
Senator Bill Vasey
Representative Lorna Johnson
Representative Del McOmie
Maxine Weaver, Staff Attorney
Please refer to
Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
Co-Chairman Peck called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
University of Wyoming (UW) President Philip Debois and UW Trustee Kathleen Hunt welcomed the Select Committee to the UW campus [Appendix 3]. President Dubois welcomed the opportunity to discuss the long term value of the Chief Washakie statue and Trustee Hunt expressed her anticipation for the beauty and history the statue will bring to UW. Co-Chairman Peck asked the audience to introduce themselves.
Co-Chairman Peck presented background and historical development of this statue project following the placement of the Chief Washakie as Wyoming's second statue in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. [Appendix 4]. The 2004 Legislature appropriated $150,000.00 for the placement of a sculpture, including lighting, signing and other necessary support for the statue [Appendix 5]. Senator Case noted Wyoming's first statue of Esther Morris was placed in Statuary Hall many years ago.
Sculptor Dave McGary discussed the development of the Battle of Two Hearts statue, including time spent with the Washakie family and the selection of the battle of Crow Heart Butte as the focus for this portrayal of Chief Washakie [Appendices 6 and 7]. The statue will be 1˝ times life size, and will take approximately one year to produce. He explained the bronzing process and steps he takes to protect sculptures placed in public places.
Mr. McGary further explained the horse depicted in the Battle of Two Hearts was Chief Washakie's favorite horse and Trustee James Trosper related the historical significance of various details of the sculpture. Pat Washakie described Chief Washakie as a great leader and the horse was his mode of transportation, like a presidential limo today. Chuck Washakie thanked the Select Committee for recognizing his grandfather again and explained the horse was a gift to Chief Washakie from his Nez Perce friend, Chief Joseph. Trustee Trosper introduced Reni Hornamo, the owner of the horse used as the model for the sculpture.
President Debois expressed concerns regarding the size of the piece, the importance of the location to minimize vandalizism and how portraying Chief Washakie as a warrior will portray Chief Washakie as an educator. Mr. McGary and UW Trustee Trosper explained the importance of choosing Chief Washakie, the warrior, because of the significance of this battle in establishing the Shoshone lands and because of Chief Washakie's statement "I fought to keep our land, our water, our hunting ground - today, education is the weapon my people will need to protect them" [Appendix 8]. They explained this dramatic depiction of Chief Washakie will be a draw for the University to be used as an educational tool to learn about Chief Washakie and his philosophy.
The Select Committee discussed which statue was to be used for this legislative project [Appendix 9]. Co-Chairman Parady suggested the quote from Chief Washakie could be placed on or near the statue. Trustee Hunt would strongly recommend the Battle of Two Hearts statue with the explanation it would be good for education.
Dr. Leellen Brigman, Vice President at UW, expressed her preference to locate the statue in an area where there is less opportunity for vandalizism and more opportunity to protect its reverence. Trustee Hunt offered suggestions to interpret the statue and give students and visitors information and stories on Chief Washakie.
Senator Case moved and Co-Chairman Parady seconded to inform to the UW Board of Trustees the Battle of Two Hearts sculpture be the recommended choice of the Select Committee to fulfill the intent of the legislation. The motion passed. [Voting Aye: Case; Peck; Vasey; L.Johnson; McOmie; Parady).
President Dubois gave an overview of the campus to the Select Committee and briefly indicated the general locations to be viewed [Appendix 10], adding the sites may need to be reviewed by UW engineers and WYDOT. He suggested the group to consider visibility and traffic when looking at the various site locations during the walking tour.
Beth McCuskey, UW, led the group on a walking tour of the possible sculpture locations near and around the Washakie Center [Appendices 11, 12 and 13]. The order of the sites toured were: 1) the grassy area between Washakie Center, Downey Hall and White Hall; 2) inside Washakie Center next to the large windows; 3) the grassy area at the southeast corner of McIntyre Hall; 4) the grassy area on the south side of Washakie Center, in front of the windows and between the window well and Grand Avenue; 5) the grassy area at the corner of 15th Street and Grand Avenue in front of some large pine trees; and 6) the grassy area at the corner of 15th Street and Ivinson Street near the Cooper House.
Co-Chairman Parady stated his first preference was the location in front of Washakie Center, allowing it may need engineering review, and his second preference was the last place the group stopped, at the corner of 15th Street and Ivinson Street.
Representative L.Johnson concurred with the same two preferences in the same order, stating the area in front of the Washakie Center windows would offer more opportunity and better lighting. She expressed concerns with the limits of the location at 15th Street and Grand Avenue.
Representative McOmie agreed with the location in front of Washakie Center, stating it is the most attractive while having the fewest consequences for future UW planning and development. He also expressed concerns about the busy intersection of 15th Street and Grand Avenue because of the potential for causing an accident.
Mr. McGary's favorite location was also in front of Washakie Center, stating the view of the sculpture would be incredible with its reflection from the large glass windows. His second preference was also the spot on the corner of 15th Street and Ivinson Street.
Trustee Trosper and Chuck Washakie were in agreement with the recommendations of the Select Committee, noting the sculpture of Chief Washakie will be a big draw for residents and tourists.
Additional discussion regarding the Battle of Two Hearts sculptureincluded the dimensions of the statue, the possibility of using native sandstone, the potential locations in front of the Washakie Center windows and window well and the requirements for placement and security of the sculpture.
Co-Chairman Parady moved and L.Johnson seconded to recommend to the UW Trustees the Select Committee's first preference for the location of the Battle of Two Hearts sculpture is in front of the Washakie Center windows and the second preference is the last place the group stopped, the grassy area at the southwest corner of 15th Street and Ivinson Street. The motion passed. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Trustees. President Dubois said he would have estimates on costs of those locations to the UW Trustees and the Select Committee in two to three weeks.
Representative McOmie stated the sculpture would be beautiful and applauded the University for recognizing Native Americans and Chief Washakie.
Senator Case requested the minutes reflect the Select Committee's second preference is the property located west of 15th Street and close to the Cooper House property.
The Select Committee discussed the current impasse on the sovereignty issue between the State of Wyoming (State) and the Tribes, noting the Shoshone have signed a contract with the State while the Arapaho are not signing any contracts [Appendix 14] and discussed what steps could or should be taken. It was noted that members of the Tribes are also citizens of Wyoming and the need to deal with the Tribal Joint Business Council as a separate governmental agency.
Representative L.Johnson expressed concern about the Select Committee taking a position without meeting and discussing the sovereignty issue with the Joint Business Council. Several people expressed a desire to get more information on this subject. The Select Committee discussed inviting scholars and experts to meet with the Select Committee and the Joint Business Council for an informational meeting regarding the sovereignty issue.
Representative McOmie moved and L. Johnson seconded to invite the Joint Business Council to an informational planning meeting. The motion passed.
It was moved and seconded to have LSO staff do preliminary research on the general topic of sovereignty, to provide examples of what exists in the area of sovereignty and to develop a list of scholars and experts in the sovereignty field. The motion passed. LSO staff was charged with this topic and will coordinate with L. Johnson and the Select Committee regarding sovereignty issues.
Besides the Chief Washakie Statue Project, the other interim topics of the Select Committee are Community Development Block Grants, Tribal Water Projects and Tribal Taxation vs. Services Provided. It was noted these topics are all related to the sovereignty issue.
Trustee Trosper told the Select Committee a tax report had been done showing the State is ahead in collections over services by about $280 million over a 24 year period and it would benefit the Tribes if $5 million could be returned annually to the Tribes to assist with the costs of services on the reservation.
There being no further business, Co-Chairman Peck adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Robert Peck, Co-Chairman