Members of the Cayuga Nation were in Auburn Thursday to express their support for Sky Woman, the city’s newest sculpture.
Dylan Seneca is a member of the Turtle Clan within the nation. Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, he said that they came to express their gratitude and friendship for those involved with the sculpture’s creation.
“As Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ and Haudenosaunee, we’re a people of peace and respect and friendship. So when I was asked to come down here, it was to give gratitude to those who partook in making this sculpture so we may honor them in that way and that we may solidify our friendship and that we may solidify our relationship down the road for future generations to come.”
As a token of their gratitude and friendship, members of the nation placed a medallion around Sky Woman. Audrey Iwanicki, the sculpture’s creator, was in attendance and touched by their support.
A project years in the making, Sky Woman is an homage to the Cayuga creation story. The sculpture features a bronze woman holding concentric steel rings representing the sun, earth, and sky. The base of the work resembles a tortoise shell.
Sky Woman was formally unveiled during a public unveiling on July 26.
Shortly after its unveiling, Clint Halftown, that federally recognized representative of the Cayuga Nation, issued a press release objecting to the sculpture, claiming the nation was never consulted on its creation. In the release, he demanded any further action relating to the sculpture be halted and insisted a plaque be put on the sculpture indicating the nation was not consulted in its commissioning.
Those at the event on Thursday disagree with Halftown’s assertions and see the sculpture as preserving and promoting the history and culture of the nation.
Funding for Sky Woman came from the city’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant and the Stardust Foundation of CNY.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here.
