Resolution

Home » Resolution

Sacred Red Rock Project

Resolution

On October 11, 2020, Pauline Eads Sharp (Co-leader of Between the Rock and a Hard Place project & current Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe / Sacred Red Rock Project Leadership Team member) presented to the Kaw Nation General Council, updating them on the conversations with the City of Lawrence and Douglas County about the rematriation of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe and offering some possible actions that they might take regarding the Sacred Red Rock. Following the presentation, Kaw citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of making a formal request for the return of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe. The attached letter was drafted by the Kaw Nation Tribal Council and outlines the request. This formal letter was sent to Lawrence City Commissioners and Douglas County Commissioners on November 30, 2020.

On January 19, 2021, the Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 in support of the Kaw Nation’s request. You can watch the recording of their discussion and vote here (begins at 19:30), and read the Journal-World article here.

Proposal to Adopt Joint City Resolution No. 7358 (January 19, 2021)

In an article written for the Lawrence Journal World, Rochelle Valverde reported, “As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 to  move forward with a request from the Kaw Nation to return the 23-ton red  quartzite boulder, which is currently in Robinson Park across from City  Hall, 6. E. Sixth St. The city will now formally respond to the request  and express its intent to work with the tribe and other community  partners to seek grants to pay for the relocation of the rock and  develop plans for its return to the tribe. 

Mayor Brad Finkeldei said, “I think this is certainly something we are going to keep pushing forward on, and do all we can to right the wrongs of the past, and do it in the best way possible in collaboration with the Kaw Nation,” 

On March 16, 2021, the Lawrence City Commission formally adopted joint City/County Resolution No. 7358 for the return of Iⁿ‘zhúje‘waxóbe to the Kaw Nation.