The Miami Indian is a work of public art located in Montpelier, Indiana in the United States. The piece depicts a stereotypical image of Native American man. The piece is best known for its appearance in the introductory montage of the American television program, Parks and Recreation.
| Miami Indian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Unknown |
| Year | 1984 |
| Type | Fiberglass, concrete, granite |
| Dimensions | 760 cm × 216 cm × 140 cm (300 in × 85.2 in × 55.2 in) |
| Location | Montpelier Community Building, Montpelier, Indiana, United States |
| 40°33′14.27″N 85°16′39.31″W / 40.5539639°N 85.2775861°W | |
| Owner | City of Montpelier |
Description
editThe sculpture, which stands 25 feet tall, is made of fiberglass that is painted. The sculpture depicts a Plains Indian man. His proper right arm is lifted in the air with his hand reaching outward. He wears a pair of white pants, with brown fringe around his waist. Both arms have fringed brown armbands around them. He wears a pair of white shoes. On his head is a war bonnet, it is blue and white. He has black hair in braids, with a blue band on each braid, that comes down along both cheekbones. On his proper right leg, just above the knee, is painted "INTERNATIONAL FIBERGLASS, VENICE".[1][2]
A plaque, made of granite, is in front of the state and it reads:
- INDIAN STATUE GIVEN TO THE CITY OF MONTPELIER, JANUARY 1984
- BY LARRY P. GODFROY, CHIEF, MIAMI INDIANS[1]
Acquisition
editThe piece was originally installed at a Pontiac dealer, in the 1960s, which was located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture was supposed to represent Chief Pontiac.[1] It was moved to a museum in Bismarck, North Dakota in the 1970s.[3] Eventually, the piece was moved back to Indiana, and to Eagle Creek Park, where a museum resided. It sat outside the entrance of a Native American museum.[3][4] Eventually, the statue was given to Chief Larry Godfroy of the Miami people.[1] The piece is now located in downtown Montpelier, where it was dedicated in January, 1984.[1] In 1985, the sculpture was donated by Chief Godfroy to the city of Montpelier, which resided near ancestral lands of the Miami.[1][4]
Other information
editIn front of the statue is an Indiana historical marker referencing the history of the Miami people in the region.[5]
Condition
editIn 1993, the sculpture was evaluated by the Save Outdoor Sculpture! surveyors. The piece was described as needing treatment.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "(Miami Indian), (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ "Montpelier, Indiana: Muffler Man Indian". Muffler Men. Roadside America. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ a b Mayo, Kelly. "Research satisfies the curious mind". Around Campus. University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Indian". Montpelier Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ^ "Godfroy Reserve". HMDB.org. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.