Latest news with #StorylandStudios
4 hours ago
- Politics
South Dakota eager for Trump's statue garden despite local opposition
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Officials in South Dakota are pushing hard to build President Donald Trump 's proposed National Garden of American Heroes in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore, but the effort has sparked a backlash from Indigenous groups who see the area as sacred. A mining company has offered to donate 40 acres (16 hectares) less than a mile from Mount Rushmore, where massive sculptures of four of the nation's most prominent presidents are carved out of granite. 'The Black Hills mark the perfect location to achieve your vision for the National Garden of American Heroes,' Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump. 'Together, we will make this project happen in a way that honors America's heroes, takes advantage of South Dakota's natural beauty, and incorporates the most iconic monument to our greatest leaders: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.' But the Black Hills have long been the subject of disputes between South Dakota and its tribes. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie recognized that the Black Hills belong to the Sioux people, but the U.S. government seized the land less than a decade later to mine for gold. A 1980 Supreme Court decision found that the U.S. violated the treaty, but the tribes refused the $1.3 billion in compensation they were offered and maintained their rights to the land. The mining company, Pete Lien & Sons, also has had conflicts with Indigenous groups in the area, most recently because of an exploratory drilling project for graphite near the sacred Lakota site of Pe' Sla. The company also is working with theme park designer Storyland Studios to build an attraction in the Black Hills opposed by some Indigenous groups. 'It's absurd for Storyland Studios and Gov. Rhoden to claim they care about preserving history while they watch Lien & Sons attempt to destroy Pe' Sla, and do nothing,' said Taylor Gunhammer, an organizer with the Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective. 'They are the ones erasing and paving over history, not preserving it,' Gunhammer said. Rhoden's press secretary, Josie Harms, wrote in a statement that the garden "will have no disruption to either state or tribal land' because the tract of land is owned by Chuck Lien, owner of Lien & Sons, and his family. Pete Lien & Sons did not respond to multiple requests from The Associated Press for comment. Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to build the garden, to feature 250 life-size statues of historical figures in honor of the country's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Applications for sculptors are due in early July, though the administration no longer seeks to have it completed by next summer. The U.S. House has approved $40 million for the project, which is being overseen by the Department of Interior and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Senate hasn't yet approved the funding. Trump first announced the project in his first term in a July 3, 2020, speech at Mount Rushmore at a time during the Black Lives Matter movement when some protesters were tearing down statues depicting Confederate generals and others. 'Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities,' Trump said in that speech. 'But no, the American people are strong and proud, and they will not allow our country, and all of its values, history, and culture, to be taken from them.' In a 2021 executive order, Trump called for statues depicting a range of prominent figures, from the likes of Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali and Steve Jobs to more controversial ones like Christopher Columbus and President Andrew Jackson. No site was selected, however, and the garden was never funded by Congress. The Department of Interior said the revived garden project is still in the 'planning and discussion phase' and declined to say which sites it is considering. It's unclear if any other states are seeking to host the statue garden. When Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was the state's governor, she offered the mining company's 40 acres of land in the Black Hills. Her successor, Rhoden, doubled down on that offer in his letter, emphasizing the site would be 'in sight of Mount Rushmore.' South Dakota Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson also wrote a letter to Trump, and said he will 'keep advocating for this iconic landmark to make its home in the Black Hills' in a social media post. Darren Thompson, director of media relations for the Indigenous nonprofit Sacred Defense Fund, called for more discussions with Indigenous groups in the Black Hills. 'It's a very touchy and sensitive subject that I think requires input by the local Indigenous people who have claim to the land and cultural ties to the land,' Thompson said.
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
South Dakota eager for Trump's statue garden near Mount Rushmore despite local opposition
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Officials in South Dakota are pushing hard to build President Donald Trump 's proposed National Garden of American Heroes in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore, but the effort has sparked a backlash from Indigenous groups who see the area as sacred. A mining company has offered to donate 40 acres (16 hectares) less than a mile from Mount Rushmore, where massive sculptures of four of the nation's most prominent presidents are carved out of granite. 'The Black Hills mark the perfect location to achieve your vision for the National Garden of American Heroes,' Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump. 'Together, we will make this project happen in a way that honors America's heroes, takes advantage of South Dakota's natural beauty, and incorporates the most iconic monument to our greatest leaders: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.' But the Black Hills have long been the subject of disputes between South Dakota and its tribes. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie recognized that the Black Hills belong to the Sioux people, but the U.S. government seized the land less than a decade later to mine for gold. A 1980 Supreme Court decision found that the U.S. violated the treaty, but the tribes refused the $1.3 billion in compensation they were offered and maintained their rights to the land. Indigenous groups also oppose drilling project The mining company, Pete Lien & Sons, also has had conflicts with Indigenous groups in the area, most recently because of an exploratory drilling project for graphite near the sacred Lakota site of Pe' Sla. The company also is working with theme park designer Storyland Studios to build an attraction in the Black Hills opposed by some Indigenous groups. 'It's absurd for Storyland Studios and Gov. Rhoden to claim they care about preserving history while they watch Lien & Sons attempt to destroy Pe' Sla, and do nothing,' said Taylor Gunhammer, an organizer with the Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective. 'They are the ones erasing and paving over history, not preserving it,' Gunhammer said. Rhoden's press secretary, Josie Harms, wrote in a statement that the garden 'will have no disruption to either state or tribal land' because the tract of land is owned by Chuck Lien, owner of Lien & Sons, and his family. Pete Lien & Sons did not respond to multiple requests from The Associated Press for comment. Trump's garden to feature 250 statues of historical figures Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to build the garden, to feature 250 life-size statues of historical figures in honor of the country's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Applications for sculptors are due in early July, though the administration no longer seeks to have it completed by next summer. The U.S. House has approved $40 million for the project, which is being overseen by the Department of Interior and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Senate hasn't yet approved the funding. Trump first announced the project in his first term in a July 3, 2020, speech at Mount Rushmore at a time during the Black Lives Matter movement when some protesters were tearing down statues depicting Confederate generals and others. 'Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities,' Trump said in that speech. 'But no, the American people are strong and proud, and they will not allow our country, and all of its values, history, and culture, to be taken from them.' In a 2021 executive order, Trump called for statues depicting a range of prominent figures, from the likes of Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali and Steve Jobs to more controversial ones like Christopher Columbus and President Andrew Jackson. No site was selected, however, and the garden was never funded by Congress. The Department of Interior said the revived garden project is still in the 'planning and discussion phase' and declined to say which sites it is considering. It's unclear if any other states are seeking to host the statue garden. As governor, Noem offered land for the garden When Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was the state's governor, she offered the mining company's 40 acres of land in the Black Hills. Her successor, Rhoden, doubled down on that offer in his letter, emphasizing the site would be 'in sight of Mount Rushmore.' South Dakota Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson also wrote a letter to Trump, and said he will 'keep advocating for this iconic landmark to make its home in the Black Hills' in a social media post. Darren Thompson, director of media relations for the Indigenous nonprofit Sacred Defense Fund, called for more discussions with Indigenous groups in the Black Hills. 'It's a very touchy and sensitive subject that I think requires input by the local Indigenous people who have claim to the land and cultural ties to the land,' Thompson said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
South Dakota eager for Trump's statue garden near Mount Rushmore despite local opposition
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Officials in South Dakota are pushing hard to build President Donald Trump 's proposed National Garden of American Heroes in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore, but the effort has sparked a backlash from Indigenous groups who see the area as sacred. A mining company has offered to donate 40 acres (16 hectares) less than a mile from Mount Rushmore, where massive sculptures of four of the nation's most prominent presidents are carved out of granite. 'The Black Hills mark the perfect location to achieve your vision for the National Garden of American Heroes,' Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump. 'Together, we will make this project happen in a way that honors America's heroes, takes advantage of South Dakota's natural beauty, and incorporates the most iconic monument to our greatest leaders: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.' But the Black Hills have long been the subject of disputes between South Dakota and its tribes. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie recognized that the Black Hills belong to the Sioux people, but the U.S. government seized the land less than a decade later to mine for gold. A 1980 Supreme Court decision found that the U.S. violated the treaty, but the tribes refused the $1.3 billion in compensation they were offered and maintained their rights to the land. Indigenous groups also oppose drilling project The mining company, Pete Lien & Sons, also has had conflicts with Indigenous groups in the area, most recently because of an exploratory drilling project for graphite near the sacred Lakota site of Pe' Sla. The company also is working with theme park designer Storyland Studios to build an attraction in the Black Hills opposed by some Indigenous groups. 'It's absurd for Storyland Studios and Gov. Rhoden to claim they care about preserving history while they watch Lien & Sons attempt to destroy Pe' Sla, and do nothing,' said Taylor Gunhammer, an organizer with the Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective. 'They are the ones erasing and paving over history, not preserving it,' Gunhammer said. Rhoden's press secretary, Josie Harms, wrote in a statement that the garden 'will have no disruption to either state or tribal land' because the tract of land is owned by Chuck Lien, owner of Lien & Sons, and his family. Pete Lien & Sons did not respond to multiple requests from The Associated Press for comment. Trump's garden to feature 250 statues of historical figures Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to build the garden, to feature 250 life-size statues of historical figures in honor of the country's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Applications for sculptors are due in early July, though the administration no longer seeks to have it completed by next summer. The U.S. House has approved $40 million for the project, which is being overseen by the Department of Interior and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Senate hasn't yet approved the funding. Trump first announced the project in his first term in a July 3, 2020, speech at Mount Rushmore at a time during the Black Lives Matter movement when some protesters were tearing down statues depicting Confederate generals and others. 'Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities,' Trump said in that speech. 'But no, the American people are strong and proud, and they will not allow our country, and all of its values, history, and culture, to be taken from them.' In a 2021 executive order, Trump called for statues depicting a range of prominent figures, from the likes of Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali and Steve Jobs to more controversial ones like Christopher Columbus and President Andrew Jackson. No site was selected, however, and the garden was never funded by Congress. The Department of Interior said the revived garden project is still in the 'planning and discussion phase' and declined to say which sites it is considering. It's unclear if any other states are seeking to host the statue garden. As governor, Noem offered land for the garden When Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was the state's governor, she offered the mining company's 40 acres of land in the Black Hills. Her successor, Rhoden, doubled down on that offer in his letter, emphasizing the site would be 'in sight of Mount Rushmore.' South Dakota Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson also wrote a letter to Trump, and said he will 'keep advocating for this iconic landmark to make its home in the Black Hills' in a social media post. Darren Thompson, director of media relations for the Indigenous nonprofit Sacred Defense Fund, called for more discussions with Indigenous groups in the Black Hills. 'It's a very touchy and sensitive subject that I think requires input by the local Indigenous people who have claim to the land and cultural ties to the land,' Thompson said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South Dakota governor asks Trump to build promised statue garden and put it near Mount Rushmore
A conceptual drawing by Storyland Studios of a National Garden of American Heroes near Mount Rushmore. (Courtesy of South Dakota Governor's Office) South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden sent President Donald Trump an invitation Tuesday to fulfill a promise from five years ago: the creation of a 'National Garden of American Heroes.' And Rhoden wants Trump to put the statue garden in South Dakota's Black Hills. 'In fact, we have a plot of land available in sight of Mount Rushmore that would be ideal for this fantastic effort,' Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump. That plot of land, according to Rhoden, is privately owned by the Lien family, which is willing to donate it. Members of the family own and operate Pete Lien & Sons Inc., a mining, construction aggregate, and concrete company based in Rapid City. Additional materials made public by the Governor's Office include a letter from the Lien family, which says the land 'straddles the iconic Doane Robinson tunnel,' although an attached map appears to depict the land as just north of the tunnel. Motorists frequently stop at the tunnel for a framed view of the mountain carving. The Lien family has worked with Storyland Development, of California, to produce conceptual drawings of the statue garden, which are included in the materials from the Governor's Office. The materials also include a 2020 letter from then-Gov. Kristi Noem, who proposed at the time that the statue garden should be built 'at Mount Rushmore National Memorial as an expansion of the Memorial site.' She went on to mention the bronze statues of presidents in downtown Rapid City and the statues of governors in Pierre and wrote, 'I am confident these organizations would be amenable to a short-term loan of statues to the National Garden.' Mount Rushmore is managed by the National Park Service, and much of the surrounding land is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Black Hills National Forest. Parcels of private land, many of them claimed during the gold rush era of the late 1800s, are scattered throughout the forest. Trump made his statue garden promise at a Mount Rushmore fireworks celebration on July 3, 2020. Rhoden has invited Trump back to Mount Rushmore next year for another fireworks display and a celebration of the nation's 250th birthday. The 2020 announcement came during a speech in which Trump said agents of 'cancel culture' were 'trying to tear down statues of our Founders' and 'deface our most sacred memorials.' George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer had occurred two months earlier, adding fuel to a reexamination of historic monuments and statues associated with racial injustice. That summer, numerous statues were vandalized, removed or both, including many that honored Confederate Civil War figures. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Trump said in the 2020 speech that those efforts were 'erasing our heritage.' He called for Americans to 'speak up loudly and strongly and powerfully and defend the integrity of our country.' 'So today,' Trump said at the time, 'under the authority vested in me as president of the United States, I am announcing the creation of a new monument to the giants of our past. I am signing an executive order to establish the National Garden of American Heroes, a vast outdoor park that will feature the statues of the greatest Americans to ever live.' Trump issued the executive order that day and another one on Jan. 18, 2021 — two days before he left office at the end of his first term — calling for the creation of the garden without identifying a site. The second order said the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities 'should target spending one-twelfth of the discretionary funds available to their agencies' on commissioning the statues. Each of those agencies received $207 million last year. One-12th of that amount would be $17.2 million apiece. The second order also included a list of about 250 people to be honored with statues, ranging from historical figures such as George Washington and Harriet Tubman to modern names including Kobe Bryant and Alex Trebek.
