Ben Nighthorse Campbell Buffalo Skull comes home to Chief Dull Knife College

LAME DEER, Mont. – Monday, September 23, in conjunction with Native American week Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC) held a very special presentation at the John Woodenlegs Memorial Library. The occasion was the unveiling of a precious Buffalo Skull, created and gifted to the college nearly fifty years ago, by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Northern Cheyenne and internationally acclaimed artist. His hopes? That it would inspire young Cheyenne. 

The unveiling featured a display of the Buffalo Skull in a new security system to protect the invaluable piece of art, a development long in coming. Before this, the Buffalo Skull was displayed in many different locations other than CDLC which have the capacity for security and curation up to museum standards.

Adrienne Violet, Chief Librarian at CDKC who was instrumental in raising funds for the state-of-the art security and lighting system was the moderator. She remarked “we are so pleased to bring the Buffalo Skull before the eyes of the Cheyenne people. As I learned from personal discussion with the Senator, is very important to him”. 

CDKC President Eva Flying was also on hand for the unveiling. She reported that the college conducted extensive research regarding the Buffalo Skull which has been appraised at a very high value. “CDKC is explicitly uniquely and entirely responsible for the Buffalo Skull,” she said. ‘Now it will be the heart of the John Wooden legs Memorial Library and indeed the entire college. This is the first time I’ve seen it and it is stunning. We at CDCK will ensure the highest standards of museum standards to care for this priceless work of art”.

She acknowledged Violet’s dedication to the project and said it is the primary focus of CDKC is to keep the skull safe.

Dr. Richard Littlebear, former CDKC President for twenty-three years was on hand as the keynote speaker. During his tenure, he developed a close relationship with Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, in part because of their mutual concern for the Skull. Shortly before leaving CDKC, in part because of the Senator’s deep concern about what would happen to the Buffalo Skull, Littlebear took matters in hand and at personal expense, traveled to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado to retrieve the piece of art and bring it back to CDKC. He related the story in a very humorous way, as ever, very modest about his contribution.

The initial agreement between CDKC and Fort Lewis College for loan of the skull was for four years, Littlebear noted. “But, it took nine years to get it back. I didn’t want it stolen on my watch. Mentioning the usefulness of 3D photography, he suggested, “We have to create a situation where people can learn from it”.

The Senator, learning of the unveiling ceremony sent remarks which were shared with the audience and provided to Native Sun News Today as follows:

“Good morning, my fellow Cheyenne, staff and visitors. When I learned that today, in conjunction with Native American Week, the College will unveil the Buffalo Skull, with a new security system, it brought some memories to mind that I would like to share for the record.

“I wish I could join you in person, but anymore traveling has become challenging, in my advanced years.  Yet, I will join you in spirit, as the Buffalo Skull has always been near my heart. Sometimes, I think it the most meaningful piece of art I ever did.

“In 1975 (nearly 50 years ago!) I was a beginning artist and jeweler, living in California. I was inspired to create this piece of work for a couple of reasons. First, to commemorate the 200th birthday of our Country and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, then known as Custer’s Last Stand. More important, I made it to motivate young Cheyenne to do something with their lives, something constructive. There is so much talent and possibility among them. The Buffalo Skull project came to mind.

“The process of creating a work of art such as the Buffalo Skill is very time-consuming. First, I obtained a buffalo skull from a rendering plant. It was just sickening, had not been cleaned, a very stinky mess. I submersed it in a barrel, covered it with Clorox and after two months, it came out clean, all the gristle and tissue stripped. 

“The design was inspired by the Sun Dance, but the symbols on this skull are reversed from those used in Sun Dance. When I brought it home, the old people, including my mentor, former Chief Austin Two Moons were supportive of the design changes.

“It took about eight months of cutting and fitting stones. The stones are: turquoise; Mediterranean oxblood coral, very rare now, because it has all been fished out; black onyx; and mother of pearl. I presented it to Chief Dull Knife College, because that’s where many of our motivated young people are.

“Unfortunately, that college was not prepared to care for it; security or curation wise. While it is valuable in a monetary sense, I hope the real value is inspiration for young Cheyenne people.

“For quite some time, the Buffalo Skull has been on many journeys, viewed by people from across the world. It was first displayed at Chief Dull Knife College. Security and curation concerns arose, and since, the College, the rightful owner, has been gracious in sharing it. For a few years it was displayed at the Smithsonian, Washington, D.C. It also took a tour at local banks on and near the Reservation where security was assured. It spent many years in storage at Chief Dull Knife College, mostly at the John Woodenlegs Memorial Library, in charge of historical artifacts. Then CDKC made an agreement with Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, a college on the Southern Ute Reservation, where I and my wife Linda live. It was on display there for several years, in conjunction with a presentation revolving around my career as a State legislator, U.S. Representative and Senator. That was handled by the Institute of Southwest Studies.

“Still questions lingered about where the Buffalo Skull would find a final, secure and permanent resting place, a concern shared by many. It once again wound up an attic at Fort Lewis College because they had changed displays.

“As one of his last acts as President of Chief Dull Knife, Dr. Richard Littlebear at his personal expense traveled to Durango, Colorado to retrieve the Buffalo Skull and bring it back to Chief Dull Knife College. I have heard it said that all Northern Cheyenne eventually come home, and the Buffalo Skull has kept that tradition alive. Thank you Dr. Littlebear for making that possible.

“In the meantime, I thank the dedicated staff at Chief Dull Knife College who have to come up with the new security system: ‘bullet-proof, smash-proof and fire-proof’ protections. Adrienne Violett, Head Librarian at Chief Dull Knife College led the charge. Thank you to her and everyone else that had a hand in this project.

“I am very glad that the Buffalo Skull is finally doing what it was supposed to do in the first place – inspiring young Cheyenne to do something positive with their lives.”

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice2@gmail.com)

              

 

The post Ben Nighthorse Campbell Buffalo Skull comes home to Chief Dull Knife College first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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