Listen to our Treasurer
Shana Barehand
present the issue of the
murals at the
Ariel Rios Building (EPA HQ)
in Washington, DC, and make
the case for their removal.

Go to:

Native America Calling Website
Scroll down toward the bottom
and you will find the link to listen
to the program for Sept. 25.
It will open and play with your
default media player.

Murals at the EPA headquarters, Ariel Rios Building, Washington, DC

For several years SAIGE has been engaged in a debate on the suitability of some controversial historical artwork (murals) at EPA Headquarters, in the Ariel Rios building in Washington , D.C. The building is owned by the General Services Administration, (GSA) and leased by the EPA, and is historically protected. American Indian employees of the EPA have complained that the murals perpetuate negative stereotypes of American Indians, and create a hostile work environment for them. EPA employees approached SAIGE for assistance in late 2003.

UPDATE 2009:

- SAIGE's recent statement to the GSA about the murals <click here .pdf>.

- GSA Response to our letter <click here .pdf>.

HISTORY:

- SAIGE initially submitted a letter in early 2004 to the GSA, which manages the Ariel Rios federal building . <Click here to see> .

 - On March 16th, 2005 GSA publicly announced that they were initiating a 106 Historical Preservation review for the murals .
<Click here to see full announcement> .

 - In December 2005, as a designated Consulting Party, SAIGE  provided the GSA with this position statement regarding the murals.
<Click here to see> .

Articles:
  - Article in "Fedsmith" with comments:
http://www.fedsmith.com/articles/articles.showarticle.db.php?intArticleID=368

  - National Indian web-based news source,  Indianz.com covered the story of the objections to the works. <click here> .

Pictures:
To see depictions of the artwork in the EPA building. <click here> .

Support:
  -  Letter from NCAI regarding the murals. <click here>.
  - Letter from Federally Employed Women (FEW) <click here>
  - Letter from National Image

 - You can show your support for SAIGE's position on this issue. GSA is continuing to take comments throughout the Historic Preservation 106 Process.
Click here for link to GSA site and to make comments on Murals issue

Update:

On October 30, 2006 the GSA held a panel discussion regarding the Murals in question. Here is a written transcript of those proceedings. <click here>

During September 2007 GSA issued a letter regarding their findings for the proceedings. Here is a copy of the letter. <click here>

Thank you for your support of SAIGE.