Indigenous activists demand removal of Iowa monuments, restructuring of historical narrative

An imposing figure that stood in the center of the women's march in 2017, an event attended by nearly 26,000 people, caused Christine Nobiss' heart rate to increase.

A towering bronze sculpture of a pioneer, his son and a sitting Indigenous "scout" titled "Pioneer Statuary Group" was the source of Nobiss' hurt and discomfort.

Nobiss, aka Sikowis, identifies as Plains Cree/Saulteaux, and said when she sees monuments like the statuary group "it feels like we're being mocked."

Nobiss is the SHIFT Director of Seeding Sovereignty, the Indigenous and womxn-led organization that hosted a rally Saturday calling for the removal of three monuments from Capitol building grounds. Bringing down monuments that protesters and activists say uphold white supremacy is just one part of the recent national civil rights movement sparked by George Floyd's death in police custody on May 25.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2020/07/05/iowa-indigenous-activists-demand-removal-capitol-monuments/5369955002/