A wave from the past has returned, standing tall against the backdrop of Jourdanton High School's football stadium. The Big Chief statue, a former San Antonio landmark, has been acquired by Jourdanton ISD from the Red McCombs Hyundai dealership. As reported by KENS 5, the towering figure was removed back in July 2023 during renovations at the dealership. It now proudly stands near the concessions stand at the high school campus, still under black plastic but with its familiar pose recognizable to many. "Jourdanton ISD has recently acquired the historic Big Chief from Red McCombs. As a school district, we understand the importance of honoring history and preserving the legacy of our community. Big Chief holds a special place in the hearts of many Jourdanton Indians, and we are proud to now own this iconic landmark. We acknowledge the significance of the Big Chief and its cultural importance, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains an integral part of our community for generations to come. As Jourdanton Indians, we take pride in our history and heritage, and we look forward to how this will now be a part of our story," the district announced in a Facebook post, emphasizing the importance of preserving its legacy within the community.

Efforts to maintain the statue's presence as part of the community have been met with varied responses. The high school, bearing team names "Indians" and "Squaws," sees the acquisition as a source of pride. According to KSAT, Greg Parrish from Alpha Machine & Repair, who was involved in setting up the statue, believes it will serve as motivation for the school's teams. "It's quite a big figure, and I think it's going to help the help the guys, help the fans, you know, kind of give them something to look to," Parrish said.

However, while some residents and fans express excitement, the statue's relocation has stirred controversy. After the reveal from Jourdanton ISD, not all the reactions were positive. Critics argue that the representation can be seen as insensitive, given the complexities of historical accuracy and cultural respect. Ramon Vasquez, the executive director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Mission, expressed concern over the statue's educational message. "This is not responsible," Vasquez told KSAT.

The origins of Big Chief believed to possibly be a sculptural homage to Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa tribe, further complicate the statue's presence in a South Texas school setting. Vasquez criticized the use of the statue in an educational environment, contending it fails to accurately reflect the history of the local American Indian community. "When we have a public institution like Jourdanton High School or Jourdanton Independent School District, we should be a little bit more thoughtful about what we're trying to, teach our children," Vasquez explained.