Many contributors to a book documenting the return of the Sacred Red Rock to the Kaw Nation will read from their sections at an upcoming event at Haskell.
“Shokhí: A Kanza Relative, a Monument, and Rematriation” includes essays, poetry and artwork from numerous Kaw Nation citizens, Haskell students and other Lawrence residents who were involved with the initiative to return the Sacred Red Rock, Iⁿ ‘zhúje ‘waxóbe. The book was published this year by University Press of Kansas.
Many of the contributors will be present at the reading to share their sections.
Tai S. Edwards, a professor of history who edited the book along with c. huffman and Jay T. Johnson, said some of the Lawrence folks who will read from their sections include Toni Wheeler, Ursula Minor, Tommee Sherwood, Dave Loewenstein, Lisa Grossman, Joni Fornelli and more.
The reading is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 in the auditorium at Haskell Indian Nations University.
Staff from the Raven Book Store will have copies of the book for sale at the event starting at 5:30 p.m. and after the event.
Background
In 1929, the Sacred Red Rock was taken from its natural location near Tecumseh, Kansas, to Robinson Park, in Lawrence, where it had a plaque revering mostly white settlers attached to it and was held for nearly a century as a monument. In December of 2020, the Kaw Nation submitted a formal request to the Lawrence City Commission for its return. The City of Lawrence in March 2021 apologized and issued a resolution that included a commitment to the Sacred Red Rock’s “unconditional return” to the Kaw People.
The bronze plaque that had been affixed to it was removed in July 2023 and is now at Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. The Sacred Red Rock was removed from Robinson Park in August 2023 and placed in storage until it was moved to its new home in March 2024: on Kaw land at Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park near Council Grove. About 400 people showed up to a rematriation ceremony there in June 2024.
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