Let’s be clear: The Chief statue in downtown Durango is racist. It’s not art. It’s a caricature that mocks Native American people and culture. It’s a relic of white supremacy, and it has no place in public view.
The Clarks, who own the statue, have refused to take it down – even after Native people and community members have spoken out. Their refusal is not just stubbornness; it’s a choice to continue harming Native people for the sake of nostalgia and profit. Every day that statue stays up, it sends a message: racism is acceptable here.
This isn’t about history. It’s about ongoing harm. Native Americans still live here, raise families here, and contribute to this community. We are not mascots. We are not marketing tools. And we are not going away.
Durango has a decision to make. Will we keep allowing racist symbols in our public spaces, or will we choose to stand with Native people and say enough is enough?
The Chief statue must come down – not tomorrow, not next year, but now. Silence is complicity. And complicity is racism.
Take it down.
Trennie Burch
Ignacio
