Happy Thanksgiving 2015

Although many people connect Native American tribes with the western part of the USA, tribe names are commonly used where I live for streets, elementary schools, rivers, and county names. To honor this heritage, here are some local sculptures of Native Americans. Please note, only the last photo is my own.

The first sculpture was created by the artist Peter Wolf Toth, an immigrant to Akron, Ohio. Toth has made at least one Native American sculpture for each state, dedicated to the true 'early settlers' of each region. The series is called Trail of the Whispering Giants.

Rotaynah (meaning 'Chief')





 One of two bronze sculptures by Peter Jones at the beginning and end of Portage Path in Akron. 'Portage' means to carry a canoe between two rivers. This path was originally created by Native Americans who carried their canoes between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers.


Seneca Chief Wagmong, carved from a white pine by Joe Frohnapfel, another Akronite. It is erected in the town of Silver Lake, where 500 Seneca lived peacefully among white settlers at the beginning of the 19th century.


Also by Joe Fohnapfel, this is Chief Logan of the Mingo Tribe. It is located at the entrance of a beautiful nature preserve.

Wishing all of my American bloggers a Happy Thanksgiving!








Comments

  1. Pat HattNovember 26, 2015 at 6:23 AM

    Wow, those all sure take some skill and are well done indeed. Hope a Happy Thanksgiving is had at your pad.

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  2. RonNovember 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    OMG...those sculptures are AWESOME! Very interesting post. And perfect for today!

    Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY, my friend!

    X

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  3. nickNovember 26, 2015 at 10:32 AM

    Great sculptures. I especially like the one of the man? woman? carrying the huge canoe.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Pixel PeeperNovember 26, 2015 at 8:29 PM

    I agree, perfect post for today! I was very excited that I knew what "portage" meant (I just finished the book Orphan Train which talks about this). The place that I would consider my "home town" here in the States is in Chautauqua County in New York, so I'm familiar with Indian names for places.

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  5. bettyNovember 27, 2015 at 12:33 AM

    These would be cool to see in person! I hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving Day!

    betty

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  6. Mary KirklandNovember 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving too. Those pictures are so awesome. I've only seen a few totem poles and none of them were this detailed.

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  7. sageNovember 28, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    I have seen a number of Toth's giant carvings...I like the portage sculpture--that could be me.

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  8. Rob KNovember 29, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    Great photos, Bijoux! I love these carvings. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

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  9. SlimExpectationsDecember 1, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Happy thanksgiving Bijoux! I just love the pictures, and thankyou for the amazing post! :)

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  10. AnonymousDecember 2, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    Half the 'leather stocking' region of New York is named for something or someone Native American. On the other hand, the number of remaining native Americans is rather small and confined to a few relatively small reservations, part and parcel of the original push to force them West so many years ago. locally we have some who keep up the crafts and some traditions though many have little to no Native American ancestors. One in particular is fairly prolific wood totem/statue carver who uses a mix of traditional tools and chain saws ;-)

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  11. KatDecember 4, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    We have MANY Native American names around here as well. I have always been fascinated by all things Native American. Those sculptures are amazing. What craftsmanship.
    Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  12. Blue GrumpsterDecember 7, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    Trail of the Whispering Giants... I like the sound of that.

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  13. Secret Agent WomanDecember 8, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    Those are cool - I like the one carrying the canoe.

    Native American Names are common around here, particularly Cherokee (who lived in the Smoky Mountains).

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