Alum Herb Mignery created the two bronze statues that will be added to the John G. Neihardt Historic Site in Bancroft, Neb.
A long-time dream is about to become true in a “poet’s town” of 500 people.
On Sunday, Aug. 7, two bronze statues will be dedicated in Bancroft depicting John G. Neihardt, the Poet Laureate in Perpetuity of Nebraska, and Nicholas Black Elk, the Oglala Lakota holy man whose story was told in Neihardt’s book, “Black Elk Speaks.”
Crafted by artist Herb Mignery, the sculptures will be unveiled on the grounds of the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site during the 51st annual Neihardt Day celebration.
Raised on a ranch near Bartlett, Neb., Mignery is an award-winning artist and member of the National Sculpture Society and Cowboy Artists of America. A graduate of Wayne State College, he works out of his studio in Loveland, Colo.
A sculpture had been envisioned to greet visitors at the historic site since it opened in 1976, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the Neihardt Foundation began fundraising in earnest. A total of $155,000 has been raised towards the goal of $175,000 to cover sculpture expenses as fund-raising continues.
The bronze sculptures depict Neihardt taking notes from conversations with Black Elk on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1931.
Their meetings resulted in Neihardt’s book, “Black Elk Speaks,” which tells of Black Elk’s incredible life experiences during the era of the American Indian Wars of the late 19th century, from the Battle of the Little Big Horn to the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Mignery’s work is based on Neihardt’s photograph of Black Elk as he prayed at Harney Peak, the sacred site of his Great Vision, as detailed in the book. Neihardt also penned “Black Elk’s Prayer,” in honor of the holy man.
The sculptures intend to show the spiritual connection between the two men. Black Elk had rejected overtures from other writers, but he was impressed with Neihardt and chose him as the “Word Sender” sent to preserve his story. He also adopted Neihardt as a relative through Lakota ceremony.
During his time as a resident of Bancroft, Neihardt began writing “A Cycle of the West” – his epic poetic ode of American frontier history in five volumes. His research for the work eventually led him to Black Elk. He also penned “The Poet’s Town,” about the “prosy little village” where he lived from 1900 to 1920.
The Neihardt Foundation and State Historic Site expresses sincere gratitude to all who contributed to make the vision a reality. For more information, visit: neihardtcenter.org.