An idea born 29 years ago when Pueblo leaders from New Mexico went to Washington, D.C., to take part in the bicentennial celebration is being realized this year.
On their 1976 trip, the Pueblo delegation found out that New Mexico only had one statue in the National Statuary Hall. So they launched a campaign to have Po'Pay, a leader of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, become the state's second representative.
After decades of work, the state officially unveiled a 7-foot statue of Po'Pay, who lived at San Juan Pueblo, on Saturday. Created by Cliff Fragua of Jemez Pueblo, the statue will be installed in the hall this September.
"The 19 pueblos of New Mexico will march upon D.C., but it'll be a friendly march," said San Juan Pueblo Gov. Joe Garcia, who is also first vice president of the National Congress of American Indians.
Get the Story:Celebrating Pop Sculpture commemorates organizer of 1680 Pueblo Revolt (The Santa Fe New Mexican 5/22)
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A Tall Honor: Seven-Foot Statue of Indian Revolt Leader Unveiled (The Albuquerque Journal 5/22) Relevant Links:
Cliff Fragua - http://www.singingstonestudio.com
National Statuary Hall Collection - http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh
National Statuary Hall Gallery - http://www.virtualology.com/hallofusa/nationalstatuaryhall Related Stories:
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