The unusual geographic formation that stands like a sentinel on the rollingplains of eastern Wyoming is more than a mountain to American Indians. Devil'sTower, known as Bear Lodge to many Plains tribes, is where the sacredceremonies and the sacred pipe of the Lakota Indians originated. Oral traditionsays they were brought by a beautiful and pure woman dressed in white buckskin,who turned into a white buffalo when she left the Lakota people.
Thearea holds similar spiritual significance for 23 other Native American tribes.Monument superintendent Dorothy FireCloud says the popularity of the tower forrock climbers became a sensitive issue for the tribes in the mid-1990s, andthat's why the National Park Service decided to establish a Tribal Connectionscultural and educational center here. "One of the things that we want todo is educate the visitors that come here to the park about why it is thetribes feel that that's such a desecration on the tower, why it is that thename 'Devil's Tower' is not the proper name for the tower... And I think that byeducating people as to all those aspects, then they'll get a deeperappreciation for what the concerns are."
At the heart of what will be the cultural center is a new sculpture byJapanese artist Junkyu Muto. Like his other works, "Wind Circle" isdedicated to world peace.
Havingthe black and white marble carving of a smoke circle at the base of the tower,says FireCloud, heightens awareness of the area's spiritual importance to thetribes. "The tower is the place where the White Buffalo Calf Woman broughtthe pipe and taught the Native American people how to live in a good way... howto do their prayers, the seven sacred rights... you know, the differentceremonies that they practice today," she explains. "You know, thetower is a feminine entity and, based on that, it's like the perfect spot forworld peace to begin."
That's why Arvol Looking Horse, Keeper of the Sacred Bundle of the Lakota,chose the tower to call for world peace in 1996. He began holding an annualWorld Peace and Prayer Day at sacred locations around the world. In 2004, thecelebration was held at Japan's Mount Fuji. Fire Cloud says today's ceremony ?with the Japanese artist bringing the statue over to join the two culturestogether ? is like completing a circle.
JunkyuMuto's father was a World War Two kamikaze pilot who miraculously survived hiscombat mission. He impressed on his son that his goal in life should be tospread peace. "So, I always am looking for harmony... peace in theworld," Muto says. "I have learned many things... how we can makeharmony together... this time recognizing Native American people."
Theartist followed his father's advice and chose sculpture as his way tocontribute to harmony among people. He's created two other World Peace sculptures ? one is at the Vatican, the second at the birthplace of Buddhism in India.Eventually, Muto plans to have nine World Peace sculptures across the globe.
In spite of the rainy weather, more than 200 people, including 50 who'dtraveled from Japan, attended the dedication of the Wind Circle sculpture atDevil's Tower. Entertainment crossed all cultures, from Native to non-Native toJapanese.
Japanesedrummer Sunae Chino says her instrument has traditionally been reserved for menin her culture. So, performing with her mostly female drum group for worldpeace at the site known for White Buffalo Calf Woman was a coup. "I'm veryproud of it. It was a great honor [for] us, all of us, to play in such a sacredplace."
Tom Beagle, who's lived near the tower for 70 years, attended the ceremonyand said it fostered good feelings. "You know, this could heal a lot ofold wounds, maybe," he offered. "Over the past few years someinjustices have been done here. Maybe this will help."
Arapahoelder Elvina Old Man agreed. "All the cultures coming together and cominghere, you know, and getting together doing, you know, unveiling of thatsculpture. I think it's, you know, really important."
Asthe Wind Circle sculpture was unveiled, Junkyu Muto said his hope is that thefeeling of unity it has already brought to those in attendance will spreadacross the country and beyond.