Home of the Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe

Sacred Red Rock Project

WELCOME

Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project

For more information about upcoming events and community participation, visit our community engagement website. 

Led by members of the Kaw Nation in collaboration with the City of Lawrence, University of Kansas, Spencer Museum of Art, Kanza Heritage Society and others, the  Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project is focused upon the return and relocation of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe, the red Siouxan quartzite boulder currently located in Robinson Park, Lawrence, Kansas to the Kaw Nation, who have a centuries’ long relationship with the Rock and value it as a sacred item of prayer. This $5,000,000, 30-month project, is funded through the University of Kansas by the Monuments Initiative through the Mellon Foundation.

The Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project will not only support the safe relocation, interpretation, and infrastructure for Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe at Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park in Council Grove, Kansas on lands owned by Kaw Nation, but also the documentation of the history and cultural significance of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe through photographic and video documentation and the publication of an edited volume through University Press of Kansas. 

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Progress In Motion

Allegawaho Park
Rematriation
Community Engagement
Robinson Park

OUR SUPPORTERS

Grateful and Humble

On April 4th, 2022, the Mellon Foundation announced a major grant to the Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe/Sacred Red Rock Project (formerly known as Between the Rock and a Hard Place) for the return of a 28-ton red Siouxan quartzite boulder located for the past ninety-three years in Robinson Park, Lawrence, Kansas to the Kaw Nation. 

In an article written by The Lawrence Times, Vice-Chairman James Pepper Henry said, “The Kaw Nation is grateful and humbled to receive generous support from the Mellon Foundation for the return of our sacred ancestor Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe. This grant will also provide resources to implement an interpretive plan and infrastructure for our visitors to learn about the Kaw people, the original inhabitants of Kansas.  We look forward to working in cooperation with the City of Lawrence, University of Kansas, and other project partners to facilitate this process, and to strengthen our relationship and visibility with the citizens of Kansas.”

Contact us, or email directly at sacredredrock@ku.edu