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Since The Keeper of the Plains sculpture was installed in 1974 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial, it has become a symbol for the city of Wichita and a tribute to Native American tribes who continue to gather at this sacred headland. A new exhibit serves as the focal point of an eight-year, $20 million restoration and river beautification project completed in May 2007. “We worked directly with the Council of Elders, Mid-America All-Indian Center, city planners, architects, artist consultants, artists and fabricators,” said Sonia Greteman, president of the Wichita, Kansas-based branding agency Greteman Group. “The exhibit features 70-foot-long curved limestone walls where artisans and sculptors used metal and stone to showcase everything from workday tools and weapons to lodging and ornamentation. Details include a carved bison, a teepee with traditional Plains tribe icons and a dream shield—all important to the culture. This dynamic new space has re-energized a previously neglected area, drawing thousands to one of the city’s most scenic spots, inviting visitors to contemplate and appreciate the area’s rich heritage.”

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