Gov. Cathy Hochul embroiled herself in a culture clash Tuesday, saying she is considering expelling Native American artwork from the state Capitol that is deemed offensive to tribal people.
Hochul's efforts to remove negative depictions of Native Americans from artwork comes in the wake of a movement to remove statues of explorer Christopher Columbus from public squares and government buildings due to his treatment of Native Americans. It was done while I was there.
In 2022, New York education officials ordered school districts to remove Native American mascots deemed racist.
The Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol features a large bust of Columbus, a revered figure among many Italian Americans.
“All New Yorkers should feel welcomed and respected when visiting the State Capitol. Unfortunately, offensive images and disturbing depictions of people in the art that adorns the Capitol discourage visitors. “There is a possibility that we may be pushed further away,'' Hochul wrote in his 180-page 2024 State Policy Book.
“Indigenous peoples, in particular, are often depicted in artwork in ways that reflect harmful racial stereotypes and glorify violence against them. Such depictions violate the values of New York State. It does not reflect our views,” the governor said.
Albany officials said indigenous activists in New York have complained about a mural adorning the second-floor ceiling of the governor's reception room, also known as the “war room.”
The mural depicts the early battles of New York, the Iroquois Nation, and former President and Governor Theodore Roosevelt.
A series of panels from the 1600s depicting Native Americans in battle against Samuel de Champlain and the French, including a scene in which a Native American is standing over a slain comrade. .
Beneath another frame depicting settlers fighting tribesmen is the statement, “The Champlain killed the first Indian.”
Hochul said “offensive artistic expressions of indigenous peoples” were based on “precedents from more than 80 years ago” and it was time for a reassessment.
According to the state, “To ensure that all New Yorkers are welcomed to the Capitol, Governor Hochul has invited participation from representatives from each of the nine Native American tribes this year to create an inclusive representation of Indigenous artistic expression at the Capitol.” We are planning to start a review.” State books.
Tribal activists praised Hochul for addressing negative portrayals of Native Americans.
J.C. Seneca, an adviser to the Seneca Nation, said he was disgusted by the commission's boasting that Champlain had killed the first tribesmen.
“Killing your own people is an exaggeration. They killed a lot of their people and stole a lot of land,” Seneca said.
“We are still fighting for our sovereignty,” he added.
Seneca also said Columbus shouldn't be given a pass.
“Columbus did a lot of raping and looting. They need to think about his presence in the state capitol,” he said.
“The governor is taking a step in the right direction. Removing these negative portrayals has been part of a long-standing discussion,” he added.
Hochul's office said her review focused on depictions of Native Americans.
