The Future of Christopher Columbus Statue in the City of Columbus
Relatives,
Today, we are writing to inform you and ask for your help in sharing this request across the indigenous communities. I hope our words touch your heart and mind and compel you to act and share to ensure that our presence is felt during this process.
The city of Columbus, Ohio is seeking a consultant to develop the contextual narrative, and/or artistic design proposals to accompany the potential return of the Christopher Columbus statue to a public space. We hope that members of the indigenous community will apply for this consultant/artistic design position as it will ensure that indigenous perspectives are correctly exhibited.
TIMELINE:
June 18th, 2020: Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus, Ohio, wrote a letter with the following tasks:
- Launch a community-driven process to determine how to best replace the removed Christopher Columbus Statue with a public artwork
- Determine the future of locating the Columbus Statue elsewhere, in proper context, to help future generations better understand how the statue’s role played into the country’s history and current conversation.
April 2021: Christopher Columbus Statue Committee (CCSC) Formed.
June 2021: Committee adds indigenous members.
November 2021: CCSC passes motion to conditionally return the statue to a public location with accompanying contextual criteria. Included in the following contextual criteria:
1. Indigenous community experiences with European explorers and settlers
2. Erasure of culture and stories
3. Marginalization and appropriation
4. Contemporary experiences & Indigenous contributions to society
5. Why the statue continues to cause harm
January 2022: Consultant RFP issued - City of Columbus is seeking proposals from a consultant firm or team specializing in the research and development of diverse narrative content, its display, and associated community learning opportunities for the purpose of public education.
February 4th, 2022: Proposals Due 1 PM EST
Submit Proposal Electronically to: hrtreanor@Columbus.gov
Click here or see attachment: Request For Proposals [PDF]
The goal of our participation in this committee is that the Indigenous Community is at the table to ensure that our narrative and truths are heard by the committee and considered when making decisions moving forward.
With a good heart and mind,
Shelly Corbin, Dan Montour, Marti Chaatsmith
Christopher Columbus Statue Committee Members, Columbus, Ohio
Dan Montour (Mohawk), montour.3@osu.edu
Shelly Corbin/Takóni Kókipešni (Itázipčo/Mnicoujou - Lakota) slaplante5@gmail.com
Marti Chaatsmith (Comanche) chaatsmith.1@osu.edu
No comments:
Post a Comment