Friday, December 12, 2025 — Persistence pays off for tribes working to remove disturbing public monuments

After years of discussions, Taos, N.M. decided to remove Kit Carson’s name from a widely used park in the center of town. Carson’s renown as a Western frontiersman grew from greatly exaggerated tales in pulp novels and newspaper articles. Only later did his violent exploits against Navajos and other tribes emerge. He was among the main figures in the Long Walk, the forced march of 10,000 captive Navajos. More than a third of them died.

In Michigan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed a Washington Monument-style obelisk commemorating the construction of shipping locks on Lake Michigan. The obelisk sat atop the remainder of a burial ground. Lock construction destroyed the main part of the sacred area but the Bay Mills Indian Community and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians continue to hold ceremonies there. We’ll talk with tribal advocates about their years-long work to change how their histories are viewed by the public.

GUESTS

Jeremy Lujan (Taos Pueblo), Taos Pueblo tribal secretary

Jesse Winters (Taos Pueblo), Taos Pueblo second sheriff

Dr. Gregorio Gonzales (Comanche and Genizaro), tribal historic preservation officer for the Pueblo of Cochiti

Paula Carrick (Bay Mills Indian Community), tribal historic preservation officer for Bay Mills Indian Community

 

Break 1 Music: Take Your Troubles to the River (song) Vincent Craig (artist) Self-titled Release (album)

Break 2 Music: She Raised Us (song) Joanne Shenandoah (artist) LifeGivers (album)