UW-Stout removing paintings depicting American Indians

MADISON, Wis. (AP) ~ The University of Wisconsin-Stout is removing two 80-year-old paintings that depict American Indians and French fur traders from the halls of one of its buildings amid student complaints.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports (http://bit.ly/2aH2AIb ) artist Cal Peters produced the paintings in 1936. They depict a French fort and fur traders with Indians canoeing the Red Cedar River. The 6-foot-by-18-foot murals command attention in the Harvey Hall corridors.

Chancellor Bob Meyer said American Indian students feel the paintings symbolize a time when their land and possessions were taken from them. University officials plan to move them into the Harvey Hall library and a conference room.

The move has drawn accusations of censorship. Meyer says the decision wasn’t based on political correctness but on trying to attract more American Indians to the school.

Information from: Wisconsin Public Radio, http://www.wpr.org