Large Outdoor Works of Art Featuring

Historical Indigenous Americans Figures by Sarah Campbell

If you find yourself in Coolidge Park, be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive large outdoor works of art created by the talented Sarah Campbell. These pieces showcase the rich history and heritage of Indigenous Americans, reminding us of their significant contributions to our culture.
Located on the Nautilus Building, these artworks serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and honoring indigenous cultures. With intricate detail and solemn colors, Sarah Campbell has beautifully captured the essence and diversity of Historical Indigenous Americans through her art.
As you explore Coolidge Park, take a moment to appreciate these extraordinary pieces that pay homage to the Native American communities who have shaped our history. Each artwork tells a unique story, inviting us to learn more and deepen our understanding of their traditions and experiences.
The inclusion of such large-scale art in public spaces like Coolidge Park is a testament to our commitment to cultural diversity and the celebration of the rich tapestry that defines our city. It is our hope that these installations will garner attention and create a lasting impact, inspiring similar initiatives not only in Chattanooga but also in other cities across the nation.
If you share our passion for promoting public art and would like to support Sarah Campbell's ongoing work, there are opportunities to get involved. Whether you wish to commission a large piece for an outdoor or indoor space or contribute to the creation of future artworks, you can contact Sarah Campbell directly at 931-636-4745.
Let us come together as a community to recognize and appreciate the stories and contributions of our Indigenous American neighbors. By taking the time to appreciate and support such remarkable works, we can foster a deeper sense of cultural appreciation and ensure that these stories continue to be told for generations to come.

Pretty Nose was a Arapaho and Cheyenne believed to have been a War Chief who fought in the Battle of the Little Big Horn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. I wish we had more information on her life. This portrait was taken of her in 1879 and she was wearing a woven belt and a buffalo robe. We also know that at this time the Indigenous tribes were forced into submission through genocidal policies and removed from their lands, eventually displaced into government-designated reservations. During the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877, the U.S. government was encroaching on Indigenous lands, particularly the Black Hills, where gold was found. The government launched a genocidal campaign against the Indigenous people surrounding the Black Hills in an attempt to take the land for its resources. During the summer of 1876, several battles took place between the U.S. troops and the Indigenous tribes, with the Battle of the Little Bighorn being one of the most significant. The Indigenous tribes defending their territories were the Lakota, Dakota, Cheyanne, and Arapaho. After Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer's defeat, the U.S. government retaliated with the "sell or starve" Indian Appropriations Act of 1876. This "cut off all rations for the Sioux until they terminated hostilities and ceded the Black Hills to the United States."

We also have a beautiful story told by her grandson, Mark Soldier Wolf, who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. On his return to the Wind River Reservation in 1952, he saw his grandmother in the field wearing her buckskin dress decorated with honorary Elk Teeth. She was also wearing beaded cuffs on her wrist, indicating that she was a War Chief because of her bravery, courage, and leadership during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. As he walked toward her, he heard her singing a war song in honor of him. Pretty Nose was over 100 years old when they reunited.

It is worth mentioning that years later, the government granted Mark Soldier Wolf a letter stating that his inherent land was of interest to a uranium milling corporation, leading to the illegitimate transfer of 200 acres of land from Indigenous title holders to white-owned corporations. The field where Soldier Wolf and his grandmother met face to face as warriors and veterans is now gone, replaced by grounds so polluted with the tailings from a former uranium mill that the federal government must monitor it. As we reflect on Pretty Nose's story and her descendants, we feel a range of emotions - triumph and bravery, injustice and colonial greed.

At the heart of our mission with our mural project is a deep respect for Indigenous American history. We believe that by recognizing and celebrating our cultural differences, we can create a more connected and compassionate community. We're grateful for your support in this important work. Together, let's continue to spread awareness and make a meaningful impact.

If you’d like to contribute to more outdoor works & murals of Indigenous Americans in public spaces please donate to our Venmo at: @Sarah-Campbell-60 (last 4 digits are 4745). This will help spread awareness of Indigenous history and culture and will also help keep an artist creating important works of art.

Chase-in-the-Morning, c. 1888. [Portrait of Anapao Wa-Ku-Wa (Chase in the Morning), an Oglala Lakota man, younger brother of Black Whiteman who was killed during the Battle of the Little Bighorn].