The sculpture, " Transformation Through Forgiveness", was unveiled at the Mission in Santa Barbara, California

The monument, "Transformation Through Forgiveness," poignantly captures the moment of truth in the transformation of man evolving into higher self "the Eagle", a symbol of freedom and power recognized by all people of all nations . This is the journey every man, woman and child aspires to take if they are to rise about the experience of "self". By "putting on the wings of the Eagle", they find their higher power, purpose, unity with God, humankind, Spirit and truly are free.

In August of 1991, the monument, donated by the sculptor Francis Jansen, was unanimously accepted by the Wounded Knee Survivors Associations to stand at the Massacre site at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

To aid in the appropriates of such a significant site, a bill is currently passing through Congress legislating the National Tribal Memorial Park at Wounded Knee in South Dakota. This historic and sacred site where the last major Indian massacre occurred in December of 1890 has stirred profound interest and now will become an important commemoration for Native Americans and all peoples.


The National Tribal Memorial Park at Wounded Knee will include national ceremonial grounds where Native Americans of all tribes will be able to hold tribal meeting and ceremonies. There are also plans to build an amphitheater that will focus visitor's at tentions upon Francis Jansen's centrally located monument, "Transformation Through Forgiveness."

" Transformation Through Forgiveness" stands 13' tall. The monument, carved from Carrara marble weighs approximately 7,500 pounds. Francis Jansen stands 5'2" and weights only 120 pounds, and at the time of carving the monument in 1991 she had only two years of experience in sculpting. Francis sees great significance in the fact that a beginning sculptor such as herself with no art background or teachers could carve with such resulting mastery. She says of the process of bringing forth this figure: "It was an awesome experience and the miracle to myself is that I don't draw and used no material drafts. Yet, through the whole experience, I knew exactly what I was doing: profoundly so, I know I was Spiritually guided."

In 1989, one year after starting to carve stone, Francis traveled to Pietra Santa in the north of Italy, home for hundreds of years to many of Italy's master carvers. While visiting a rock yard near Carrara known for its fine marble, she found herself strongly drawn to a large elongated piece of marble. As she looked at the stone, it seemed to her that the stone visually opened up and she saw a Native American man lying with his face on the ground. Francis felt overwhelmed by a great deep sadness and knew that she was destined to release from the rock the image contained within.

Francis speaks of the great honor and privilege involved in the opportunity to give back to the earth and its peoples, with gratitude and deep respect. She emphasizes the global importance in the innate understandings held within the spiritual and cultural life-style that Native American peoples represent on the earth.

In the interim period, awaiting the unfoldment and completion of the National Tribal Memorial Park at Wounded Knee, "Transformation Through Forgiveness" is on a ceremonial pilgrimage to symbolically encourage and inspire, share reflection and compassion, create tolerance and humility. That we may reach out to the long-suffering and ask forgiveness regardless of who or why. Even though it may not be our hand that was raised to strike, let us not forget our lineage and let us look into our future with the deep wisdom of loving unification for the freedom of the one and the all.

The monument " Transformation Through Forgiveness" is now at La Casa de Maria, an ecumenical Retreat and Conference Center at 800 El Bosque Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Please call for viewing or inquiry.
Tel. 805-969-5031.

Donations for this project are welcome and may be sent to : The First American National Monument Foundation, Dwight Davis, Chairman
2747 Everett Lane,
Tallahasee, Florida, 32312.
A non-profit organization.

For additional information about this project and the artist, Francis Jansen, call (805) 643-1798.

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