NARRATIVES OF WOUNDED KNEE by BETH ANN KREHBIEL A REPORT submitted in partial ...

252 Pages·2016·30.78 MB·English

NARRATIVES OF WOUNDED KNEE
by
BETH ANN KREHBIEL
A REPORT
submitted in partial fulfi llment of the requirements for the degree
MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning
College of Architecture, Planning and Design
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Manhattan, Kansas
2016
Approved by:
Major Professor
Laurence A. Clement Jr.
Copyright
Beth Ann Krehbiel
2016
Abstract
Research suggests that Native Americans, Chicanos, and African Americans are groups underrepresented in the North Amer-
ican memorial landscape. The fl uid nature of a group and individual’s identity (and the memory that shapes it) contributes to
the underrepresentation in commemoration and memorials. As communities and the associated identities continue to blend
and overlap moments of positive cultural exchange can take place, but at times the outcomes are in the realm of contention
and confl ict. The collaborative nature of landscape architecture together with the profession’s ability to understand and inter-
pret complex systems and narratives can fully engage and bring form to the morally imaginative, creative act of peacebuilding.
The concept of shifting and variant meaning led to this study that considered the question- How might memorials be designed as
reconciliatory agents in cultural landscapes with confl icting histories?
This study engaged the concept of memory and identity with Oglala Lakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, regarding the
tragedy of Wounded Knee, through adapted ethnographic approaches in interviewing, site visits, extensive literature review,
mapping and design inquiry. The design inquiry responds to social, economic, and ecological narratives to inform the design
of the reconciliatory-minded memorial.
The initial premise of the project was situated in the understanding that events with contested meaning are diffi cult to memo-
rialize because there are so many differing voices; irreconcilable in the built form. While that is true in some contexts, initial
fi ndings suggest these groups are underrepresented because it is diffi cult to memorialize that which is a contemporary social
justice or inter-demographic issue. In light of this and further research, the author believes that memorials seeking to honor
demographics or events that directly affect contemporary groups might be contextually more appropriate, and act as media-
tors, if they focus forward rather than solely and solemnly refl ect the past. Conceptual sketches conclude this study, offering
possibilities for design expression, which might be realized with community participation.

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Narratives of Wounded Knee
Beth Ann Krehbiel
Copyright 2016
Masters Report submitted in partial fulfi llment of the requirements for the degree of:
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
Major Professor:
Laurence A. Clement Jr.
Committee Members:
Dr. Anne Beamish
Dr. Jessica Marie Falcone
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning
College of Architecture, Planning and Design
Kansas State University
Image on jacket courtesy of Bethany Walk (Adapted by Author)
ooofff
atives
Wounded
Knee
By
Beth Ann Krehbiel
Research suggests that Native Americans, Chicanos, and
African Americans are groups underrepresented in the North
American memorial landscape. The fl uid nature of a group
and individual’s identity (and the memory that shapes it)
contributes to the underrepresentation in commemoration
and memorials. As communities and the associated identities
continue to blend and overlap moments of positive cultural
exchange can take place, but at times the outcomes are in the
realm of contention and confl ict. The collaborative nature of
landscape architecture together with the profession’s ability
to understand and interpret complex systems and narratives
can fully engage and bring form to the morally imaginative,
creative act of peacebuilding. The concept of shifting and
variant meaning led to this study that considered the ques-
tion- How might memorials be designed as reconciliatory agents in
cultural landscapes with confl icting histories?
This study engaged the concept of memory and identity with
Oglala Lakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation, regarding the
tragedy of Wounded Knee, through adapted ethnographic ap-
proaches in interviewing, site visits, extensive literature review,
mapping and design inquiry. The design inquiry responds
to social, economic, and ecological narratives to inform the
design of the reconciliatory-minded memorial.
The initial premise of the project was situated in the under-
standing that events with contested meaning are diffi cult
to memorialize because there are so many differing voices;
irreconcilable in the built form. While that is true in some
contexts, initial fi ndings suggests these groups are under-
represented because it is diffi cult to memorialize that which
is a contemporary social justice or inter-demographic issue.
In light of this and further research, the author believes that
memorials seeking to honor demographics or events that
directly affect contemporary groups might be contextually
Abstract
more appropriate, and act as mediators, if they focus forward
rather than solely and solemnly refl ect the past. Conceptual
sketches conclude this study, offering
possibilities for design expression,
which might be realized with communi-
ty participation.
Figure 00.01 Pine Ridge Badlands (by Author)
Table of
Contents
01 02 03
Introduction 01 Literature Review 18 Methodology 70
Figure 00.02 Wounded Knee Panorama (by Author)
ix
List of Figures xi
Key Terms xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Dedications xix
04 05 06
Findings 88 Design Inquiry 144 Conclusions 170
References 182
Appendix 188
x