In my extensive career as a metal sculptor, it has been my honor to celebrate numerous historic occasions with a commemorative public sculpture. Notable among those; I created a thirtieth anniversary cross country ski race tribute titled American Birkebeiner; Courage, Endurance and Perseverance depicting the Birkebeiners rescuing the baby prince Haakon Haakonson (2003), a fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Lumberjack World Championships (2009), a seventieth anniversary tribute to the Hayward Hospital Auxiliary titled, Compassion (2023), and Wisdom Heralding Peace for the College of St. Scholastica’s centennial celebration (2012).
The historic creations were all wonderful celebratory opportunities to honor the past and present. None however, were more poignant, profound and historically tragic than my recent installation at New Post on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation titled, “In Memory of Pahquahwong”. This thought-provoking creation commemorates the one-hundred-year anniversary of the damming of the Chippewa River. While the construction of the
hydroelectric Winter Dam created the Chippewa Flowage, the resulting flooding destroyed the Anishinaabe Town of Post displacing all its residents, some of whom lost their lives from the trauma.
The rising waters decimated tribal homes, flooded traditional wild ricing beds, hunting and fishing grounds and dislodged over seven hundred historic burial sites, forcing the residents to leave their ancestral birthplace. They resettled in what is now the Town of New Post. The sculpture depicts a standing man guiding a canoe with a push pole and a seated woman harvesting manoomin (wild rice) with her knocker sticks. Placed on boulders and within site of the southern end of the Chippewa Flowage, the sculpture appears to be floating on water. It is a testament to a hearty, industrious population who survived the tragic flooding and continued their traditional Anishinaabe heritage in a new location.
A special installation site adjacent to a unique pipe stone and field stone building was chosen by a group of residents in
New Post whose relatives lived in Post and suffered the consequences. A new roof, new windows, complete refurbishing of the interior dry wall and flooring and electrical wiring gave new life to the deteriorated historic building. This renovated historic building, a former BIA school, the commemorative sculpture and the refreshed landscaping on the shores of the Chippewa 
Flowage is now a gathering place of honor, remembrance and hope for generations to come.
Public sculpture requires a hands-on, technically, physically and mentally challenging effort. As with all of my public sculpture creations, I am thankful for the assemblance of individuals who help bring the project to 
completion. A supportive sculpture team make it possible for my design drawings and scale model to become a full-size steel sculpture.
Foremost, this commemorative piece would not have been possible without the consult and guidance of the Lac Courte Oreilles Elders Association, who commissioned the sculpture several years ago. Through many conversational gatherings of the Elders, residents of the town of New Post and Faith Smith the director of the Kinnamon School Cultural Center, a design was selected and details honed for this historic depiction.
Miigwetch to my long-time friend and LCO tribal member Ramona Morrow, who consulted on the traditional floral designs that were incorporated in the figure’s clothing. A number of landscape boulders were graciously donated by tribal elder Mick Tainter. Thanks also to the LCO Tribal Governing Board for their support. The hard-working LCO Development Corporation crew members applied their talent and 
equipment to facilitate the installation and landscaping. To the gathering of Lac Courte Oreilles family members and friends who provided their encouragement and enthusiasm, especially on the installation day, I give thanks. Guided by my scale model, Barker Welding in Superior, WI provided their technical fabrication expertise in constructing the eight-foot steel canoe. Finally, my Dragonfly Studio assistant and husband Gary Crandall went above and beyond in helping with every phase of the sculpture creation, delivery and installation.
I am forever honored, humbled and inspired by the trust that my supportive patrons place in my creative ability, historic sensitivity and artistic vision.
Chi miigwetch to all.
For a map of the location of the In Memory of Pahquahwong sculpture CLICK HERE
