The weather vane has been there since 1928 and it’s suddenly a problem now?
The Dartmouth reports:
Following complaints, College to remove Baker Tower weather vaneCollege President Phil Hanlon announced today that Dartmouth will remove and replace Baker Tower’s weather vane, which currently bears an image of a Native American.The 600-pound weather vane, first installed as a result of a contest held during the construction of the tower in 1928, bears an image similar to that on the former Dartmouth crest, which was replaced last year. The vane portrays a Native American wearing feathers, smoking a pipe and sitting on the ground in front of Dartmouth’s founder Eleazar Wheelock. A round shape — which historical records say is likely a barrel of rum — sits behind Wheelock.College spokesperson Diana Lawrence said the College would remove the vane “as soon as possible.”Native Americans at Dartmouth, a student organization that supports Native and Indigenous students at the College, wrote in a statement that the image on the weather vane promotes an idea that white systems of education are “valued above” those of the Native American community. NAD’s statement noted that the vane “panders to an invented and false idea of Native people” not based on any specific person or tribal group.”It is clear that the images portrayed on the weather vane do not reflect Dartmouth’s values,” Hanlon said in a statement from the College.Hanlon wrote that the decision to remove the weather vane, which stands seven feet tall and nine feet wide, came following students’ and community members’ concerns regarding the image. A petition created by Hanover resident David Vincelette calling for the removal of the weather vane has nearly 600 signatures as of Monday afternoon.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY