In the bustling heart of Chicago's Loop district, the Marquette Building, a historic gem completed in 1895, is pushing the envelope with a recent art installation that aims to correct the misrepresented narratives of Native Americans in its own murals and bas reliefs. This art 'intervention', titled "Nwi Yathmomen, We Will Tell Our Story," showcases the vivid presence of the Potawatomi people in Chicago, their history, and their contributions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The installation was thoughtfully curated by John Low, an Ohio State University professor, and Andrea Carlson, an artist of Ojibwe heritage. Chris Pappan, a Chicago artist with Kaw, Osage, and Cheyenne River Sioux heritage, contributed his interpretative portraits to the exhibition.
Countering stereotypes, the Marquette Building's lobby adds a dimension of cultural education during the rush of daily commutes. "You Are on Potawatomi Land," reads the message that greets Loop workers, bold and irrefutable against the backdrop of the urban landscape. These words, a stark reminder of Chicago's indigenous roots, intertwine with the display's textual, historical components and Pappan's portraits, which cast Native leaders in a dignified, humanistic light. "By reappropriating the Euro-American, colonial gaze, these leaders can now be regarded as activists and thinkers; as parents and grandparents," Pappan wrote, as noted in the Chicago Sun-Times story.
Beyond its role as a corridor for office-bound feet, the Marquette Building is also a visual platform for progress. At the heart of this cultural dialogue is the newly minted Center for Native Futures art gallery housed within the same walls. With its core group of founders, including Pappan and his wife, Debra Yepa-Pappan of Jemez Pueblo descent, the gallery symbolizes a beacon of contemporary Native art and thinking. The gallery sprung to life courtesy of efforts by the Pappans, and fellow artist Monica Rickert-Bolter of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, among others. As described in an exhibit interview with WTTW News, Rickert-Bolter asserts, "We're all mixed-identity Natives trying to figure out how we keep our traditional practices alive, but also showcase how we've evolved and how these things are still continuing."
The MacArthur Foundation, which owns the Marquette Building, has played a significant role in these cultural initiatives, including the “Nwi Yathmomen, We Will Tell Our Story” exhibition. This act represents their commitment to addressing historical inaccuracies and supporting Native voices. "From our conversations with people in the community, we heard that the stereotyping images were causing harm," expressed Jamie Waters, a staffer at the MacArthur Foundation and co-chair of the exhibition working group, in a dialogue reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. This collaborative ethos is mirrored in the layout of the exhibition, which eschews the traditional linear path for a circular journey around the themes of time, power, land, and recollection.
Countering the misplaced historical narratives of Native American representation, the contribution of these artists, and particularly the awareness and healing space created through their art, stands as a testament to the enduring and evolving Native presence in Chicago. The exhibitions and the Center for Native Futures underscore the city's dedication to fostering a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of its diverse cultural tapestry. As Pappan succinctly shared in his chat with WTTW News, they envision a reality for Native people "without colonial limitations." The "Native Futures" exhibition at the Center for Native Futures, located on 56 W. Adams St., will be open for public engagement through May 17, 2024.
