short bio of native american chief tawanka

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Request for Question Clarification by knowledge_seeker-ga on 13 Nov 2003 04:17 PST

Hi crawford40,

I've done some preliminary searching and can only find two references
to Tawanka. One is the name of a tribe of Honduran indians. The other
is a fictional movie character.

Do you have any more information you can give us about Chief Tawanka?
For example, when and where he lived?

Thanks - K~

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Clarification of Question by crawford40-ga on 13 Nov 2003 10:43 PST

BACKGROUND;I purchased a statue through "Cigarettes Cheaper".  kThe
statues is of a Native American standing with his arms folded.  His
dress and scalplock are indicative of a Mohawk, Mandan, Huron or
someone from that part of the country. There is a quote on the statues
plinth.."We were free until we stopped fighting, now no one has
freedom"  Ua-oh... I spelled the name wrong.  the correct spelling is
T A W O N K A.  I need to know his tribe and era.  If his is a
fictional charactor, I'd STILL like to know his tribe and era.  Thanx

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Request for Question Clarification by knowledge_seeker-ga on 13 Nov 2003 11:32 PST

Wow, aside from his fame as a cigar store statue (one of a set of 4)
with a quote, I sure don't see much out there.

I'm on another question right now, but perhaps one of the other
researchers has access to information I do not.

Thanks for the new information and spelling. That may be the key to
tracking down just who this chief is.

-K~

Hi Crawford,

I echo knowledge_seeker-ga's "wow."  After searching on every
conceivable spelling of the name, with and without the "Chief," and
browsing through lengthy lists of Indian names, both North and South
American, all I was able to come up with were ads for the figurine you
have, plus one for a 7-foot-tall version, questions from others who
purchased the statues, wanting to know who this chief is, and a few
postings of the supposed quote. My personal opinion is that this is
one of those "ficitious" chiefs and quotes that helped someone sell a
cigar store Indian, and has been picked up and assumed authentic
without anyone ever actually bothering to verify that authenticity.  I
certainly could be wrong, though I concede defeat at locating any
historical information about a person by this name.  I'll be watching
to see if any of my esteemed colleages is able to find him for you.

Good luck,
Byrd