The Los Pinos Anti-Racism Project was born two years ago when the incongruity of celebrating Independence Day on occupied Indigenous lands became too palpable to ignore.
Since then, we have collectively experienced a pandemic with strikingly inequitable impacts to Native Americans and a racial reckoning with more fervor and momentum than our country has seen in decades.
Such upheaval has underscored just how much we need to take action to address white supremacy, listen to and support our Indigenous leaders, and hold ourselves and our communities accountable for racism.
In the wake of another Independence Day, we reiterate our support for removing The Chief, the racist caricature overlooking downtown Durango. Such a dehumanizing stereotype has no place in our community, regardless of its decades of commercial presence, purported approval from some Indigenous people, opportunities Toh-Atin provides Native artists or the owners’ lack of offensive intent.
Impact, not intention, is the relevant measure here. While The Chief is on private property, it maintains a very public presence and represents our community. When a number of descendents of the original inhabitants of this area say it is offensive, we must listen. When multiple academic studies determine Native caricatures have negative impacts on Native youths and increase stereotypes, we must listen. We ask the owners of Toh-Atin Gallery, local leaders who support Native American art, culture and livelihood, to remove The Chief.
Sarah Goldman, Emily Jensen, Karinne Knutsen, Jessica Ramirez and Jessica Wheeldon
Los Pinos Anti-Racism Project
Bayfield
