Jan 24, 2021

Kan. community will return sacred prayer rock to Kaw Nation

Posted Jan 24, 2021 11:00 PM
Big Red Rock -google image
Big Red Rock -google image

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Lawrence City Council has unanimously approved a measure to return to a Native American tribe a prayer rock that was transformed into a monument honoring Kansas settlers. The council voted 5-0 Tuesday to return the rock to the Kaw Nation.

Before the Kaw people were forcibly moved from Kansas to what is now Oklahoma in 1873, they held ceremonies and gathering before the 23-ton boulder known as the “Big Red Rock.” As Lawrence prepared for its 75th anniversary in 1929, the rock was moved to a park in town. Last month, the tribe sent a letter to the city seeking the rock's return.