Shadows of Remembrance: A Tribute to the Indigenous Legacy

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By Grace Hill 



Background:

The Oklahoma Land Run, a defining moment in the state's history, marked the mass settlement of unassigned lands in 1889, driven by the ideology of "Manifest Destiny." This led to many white settlers claiming land, often displacing Indigenous communities from their ancestral territories (Hoig, Stan). In Oklahoma City, the Centennial Memorial by Paul Moore was erected in 1989 to commemorate this event. However, the monument has faced criticism for glorifying the Land Run and overlooking the trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples. An intervention is necessary to reframe the narrative and promote a more inclusive understanding of Oklahoma's history. A survey by Brenda S. Golden, a member of SPIRIT (Society to Protect Indigenous Rights and Treaties) revealed that many felt the monument glorified genocide and the invasion of white settlers, expressing the need for acknowledgment of Indigenous trauma and resilience (Brenda S. Golden, et al).

Design Proposal:

Adding a large monumental wall in front of the existing Centennial Memorial, featuring the names of the tribes in Oklahoma affected by the Land Run and an area dedicated to telling the real story of the Land Run, recontextualizes the existing monument. This wall would not only serve as a physical barrier but also as a symbolic gesture, casting a literal shadow over the existing monument. This shadow serves as a metaphor for the overshadowed histories and traumas experienced by Indigenous communities as a result of the Land Run.




Adding a large monumental wall in front of the existing Centennial Memorial, featuring the names of the tribes in Oklahoma affected by the Land Run and an area dedicated to telling the real story of the Land Run, recontextualizes the existing monument. This wall would not only serve as a physical barrier but also as a symbolic gesture, casting a literal shadow over the existing monument. This shadow serves as a metaphor for the overshadowed histories and traumas experienced by Indigenous communities as a result of the Land Run. 


By forcing visitors to confront the realities of the Land Run, realities that the current monument does not fully address, the wall would encourage a deeper engagement with Oklahoma's history. This engagement would be a recognition of the complexities and nuances of this historical event, rather than a singular narrative of pioneering achievement. The inclusion of tribal names would serve as a direct acknowledgment of the communities affected, offering a form of visibility and recognition that has been lacking. 

This proposed monumental wall in front of Oklahoma City's Centennial Memorial embodies the concept of a countermonument by challenging conventional historical narratives: “Brazen, painfully self-conscious memorial spaces conceived to challenge the very premises of their being” (Young, James E, 288). Unlike traditional monuments that often celebrate specific events without acknowledging their complexities, this wall introduces marginalized perspectives, specifically those of Indigenous communities affected by the Oklahoma Land Run. By incorporating the names of impacted tribes and presenting the real story of the event, it forces visitors to confront the realities of history. The wall's physical presence, casting a shadow over the existing monument, symbolically disrupts the dominant narrative, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing the overshadowed histories and traumas experienced by Indigenous peoples. This architectural intervention serves as a critical reflection on history, promoting a deeper understanding of the past.

Lastly, memorials typically reinforce social norms by commemorating widely accepted narratives, yet they possess the potential to challenge these norms by presenting alternative perspectives: “As such, memorials are places at which cultural norms are reinforced or challenged, reproduced or altered via audience (re)action” (Dwyer, Owen J., and Derek H. Alderman,174-75). The proposed monument enforces this potential by integrating the overlooked stories of Indigenous communities into the public consciousness, expanding collective memory. By juxtaposing the traditional narrative of the Oklahoma Land Run with the experiences of those displaced, this project not only challenges existing social norms regarding commemoration but also enriches our understanding of the past.

To conclude, the monumental wall proposal represents a critical reevaluation of how history is commemorated, closing the gap between past oversights and present awareness. By highlighting Indigenous narratives, it not only confronts historical injustices but also promotes a path toward reconciliation and understanding. This initiative advocates for a more inclusive and truthful engagement with Oklahoma's complex history, enriching the state's collective memory and identity.

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