The Keeper of the Plains is an iconic downtown Wichita, Kansas landmark. It symbolizes the city’s cultural heritage and is a reminder of its Native American roots. The sculpture is a landmark and serves as a bridge between the city’s past and present. Information concerning Wichita, KS can be discovered here.
The Keeper of the Plains was commissioned by the city of Wichita in 1974 and is a 44-foot-tall steel sculpture erected at the junction of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. It serves as a reminder of the Native American tribes that once populated the area and still do today. The sculpture was created by acclaimed artist Blackbear Bosin, memorializing the Kiowa warrior Satanta and the other Native American warriors. The statue is of a Native American figure standing atop a stepped-pyramid base with outstretched arms and a raised spear, facing east. Discover facts about Exploring the Wonders of Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, KS.
The sculpture also symbolizes the ongoing relationship between the city of Wichita and Native American tribes. The city and the tribes are working together to protect the areas around the Keeper of the Plains, both for ecological and historical reasons. The Keeper of the Plains is now part of the Big Arkansas River Trail, a ten-mile walking and biking trail near the sculpture. This trail is designed to preserve the area’s beauty and cultural history and to pay homage to the Native American people who have lived in this area since antiquity.
The four surrounding 36-foot-tall pillars of the Keeper of the Plains are lit at night, adding to its beauty and magnificence. The posts and the sculpture are lit up every night, representing a meeting between two of the city’s rivers—Arkansas and Little Arkansas. Together, they create a circle of flame, and the lights display symbolizes excellent pride for the city’s residents.
The Keeper of the Plains stands tall as a reminder of the area’s Native American heritage and cultural history. It is a piece of artwork that serves as a bridge between the city’s past and present and a reminder of the time before the colonization of America. The Keeper of the Plains is an iconic landmark in Wichita and an important symbol of the city’s long relationship with its Native American tribes.