With Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving this month of November, outside of taking action yesterday, now is the time to finally remove the grotesque statue outside of the Toh-Atin Gallery. I participated in the Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage event on Oct. 10, which included a passionate final stop at the offensive caricature.

Representing Indigenous people as a crude mascot perpetuates dehumanizing beliefs that Native Americans are relics of the past, that can be exploited, without recognizing the thriving current culture and modern lives of our tribal neighbors including the Nuuchiu (Ute), Diné (Navajo) and Jicarilla Apache, among others.

I encourage the Clarks to take up the anonymous donor’s offer to remove the statue and replace it with artwork by Native artists! In terms of brand alignment, the crass sign is in stark juxtaposition to the beautiful artwork inside. Toh-Atin is no longer a roadside trading post, but a classy art gallery, with a gorgeous assortment of Native art.

Wouldn’t a beautiful statue by a Native artist outside the gallery draw even more attention by appreciators and collectors of Native American artwork, and thereby increase sales? As it stands now, the offensive sign likely turns away many potential shoppers, myself included.

Taking actions toward a more inclusive culture and community, doesn’t mean defeat – it means winning together. Sign the petition on Change.org, read previous articles, talk to your friends, write letters, and take a photo at the statue with the hashtag #notyourmascotdurango.

Sandhya Tillotson

Durango