Manetoowa - Kokomo, IN
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max771
N 40° 29.198 W 086° 07.668
16T E 573919 N 4482136
A new statue as a part of the Kokomo beautification efforts. Manetoowa represents Indian spirit embodied in this Miami maiden.
Waymark Code: WMA6TF
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2010
Views: 18
A new statue as a part of the Kokomo beautification efforts. Manetoowa represents Indian spirit embodied in this Miami maiden.
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Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana
January 23, 2009
Sculptures dedicated at gateways to downtown
By KEN de la BASTIDE
A break from the cold temperatures brought several hundred residents out for the unveiling of two sculptures acting as gateways into downtown Kokomo.
Residents gathered at Sycamore Street and Apperson Way on Thursday for the unveiling of the Miami maiden, Manetoowa, which means “spirit” in the Miami language.
The ceremony featured members of the Miami tribe, who performed a traditional drum song and dance during the dedication of the bronze statue.
Brian Buchanan, chief of the Miami nation, opened the proceedings with a purification ceremony and asked for the protection of Manetoowa from the elements.
“This is a recognition of our culture,” Buchanan said. “People will be able to become familiar with the beauty of and acceptance of our culture by the Kokomo community.”
Buchanan said the Miami tribe was thankful for the support of the community in the placement and dedication of the statute.
“The Miami [tribe] was here, always here and will be here forever,” he said of Howard County.
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said the gateway was important to the community, and the beauty of the sculpture will welcome people to the downtown.
“This is a celebration of our heritage and the work of our local craftsmen and artisans.”
In 1999, Kokomo Art Association president Diana Young conceived of the idea and received board approval to create a life-sized statue of an Indian maiden dressed in authentic traditional Miami regalia. The statue was to be a gift to the City of Kokomo for the Year 2000 celebration.
She selected a Miami because Kokomo had been named for a Miami, and the land for the city had been purchased from that tribe. An Indian seemed most appropriate since the state had been known as an Indian territory, and was so named.
Along with help from local artist Joann Williams, the clay form was completed in 1999. During the 10-year wait to bronze the sculpture, it was displayed at the Kirkenall Center at Jackson Morrow Park.
After the ceremony to unveil the Manetoowa statue, the group moved to the intersection of Park Road and Washington Street where another monument, a 12-foot sculpture donated by Haynes International made from metal alloys, was unveiled to signify a second gateway into the downtown.
Jean Neel, vice president for Haynes said the company brought employees out of retirement to help with the design and production of the sculpture.
“Haynes International has had a long presence in Kokomo and will for centuries to come,” she said.
Goodnight said the sculpture, which features a globe and pinnacle on the top and wind chimes between each of the three legs, was a result of the craftsmen, artisans and skilled employees at Haynes.
“We have a long history of steel and alloy manufacturing tied to Elwood Haynes almost 100 years ago,” he said. “This will draw people to the downtown, compliment the Walk of Excellence and bring attention to local artisans and craftsman.”
Included in the podium for the Haynes sculpture is a time capsule that will be opened in 100 years.
Neel said it contains diagrams and pictures of the sculpture and a brochure of products made by the company.
Goodnight said he included a map of Kokomo, a letter to the people who will open the capsule in the future and a picture of his 6-year-old daughter, Ava Briggs.
“She has the best chance of being around when they open the capsule,” he said.
Both sculptures were placed through the efforts of the Mayor’s Public Art Initiative formed last year by Goodnight. Funds were provided by the Urban Enterprise Association, and the Kokomo Downtown Association accepted donations to pay for the project.
Fortune Management donated the sites and provided the masonry work on the bases for the two sculptures. John Russell helped design the Haynes sculpture and provided the stone cutting and inscription work.
Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454 -8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Manetoowa
Figure Type: Human
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Joann Williams
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 22 JAN 2009 dedication. Original clay sculpting in 1999.
Materials used: Clay sculpting cast in bronze
Location: Kokomo, Indiana on the Walk of Excellence
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