Works by Peter Toth still standing proud

September 21, 2020 at 5:07 pm CDT

As Toth grew up in the US, he developed a deep interest in native North American culture and history. He saw in their story a parallel to the violent repression he had experienced in Hungary. Toth decided to honor the Native Americans by creating and donating a sculpture in each of the 50 American states. The first was completed in February 1972 in La Jolla, California, and he completed his goal with a Polynesian statue in May 1988 in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Overall, Toth has created more than 74 sculptures and the collection of large statues, including those in Allen Park and Starved Rock State Park, is known as the Trail of the Whispering Giants. "I study the Indians of the area, then visualize an Indian within the log. It is a composite of all the native people of the state," Toth said according to roadtripamerica.com. The 13-foot-tall sculpture at Allen Park, named Ho-Mah-Shjah-Nah-Zhee-Ga (meaning "Standing proud" in Winnebago Indian dialect) and the 61st created by Toth, was dedicated on May 11, 1989. Toth said it honored all the Native Americans who lived in the area.

Part of the plaque under the sculpture reads ... "The Kaskaskia, one of six Indian tribes of the Illiniwek confederacy lived in a large village along these shores. Other tribes included the Shawnee, Miami, and sub-tribes Wea and Piankeshaw. Also figuring in events of the late-era were Iroquois, Winnebago, Sac, Fox, Potawatomi, and Kickapoo." During the dedication, Hayna Sine, a representative of the Winnebago tribe, and Toth smoked a peace pipe before circling the statue for a blessing from the four winds. Sine explained the east wind signified the start of the day where the sun rises, the south being the warmth of the sun as it shines overhead, the west is for the sun's setting, and the north representing snow in the winter to enrich the soil and start of life again. The 20-foot-tall statue at Starved Rock, named "Chief Walks with the Wind," was placed on June 13, 1989. Although Toth said the sculpture served to commemorate all Native Americans, including those of the Illini Tribe Confederation, Sam "Chief Walks With the Wind" Sine of the Winnebago Nation was a specific inspiration.

Brian Hoxsey

I worked for 25 years as a CNC operator and in 2005 answered an ad in The Times for a freelance sports writer position. I became a full-time sports writer/columnist for The Times in February of 2016. I enjoy researching high school athletics history, and in my spare time like to do the same, but also play video games and watch Twitch.