By Adrienne Andros
Most of the statues that adorn BYU campus explain a piece of BYU culture. But for many students, the purpose for the sculpture of the Indian remains a mystery.
A mold of Chief Massasoit the Indian was found on BYU campus years ago and provoked the creation of a replica to display on BYU grounds, said Sarah Young, a tour guide at the BYU visitor''s center.
The sculptor, Cyrus Dallin, is responsible for other well-known pieces, including the Angel Moroni which sits atop the Salt Lake Temple.
Massasoit was an Indian who greeted the Pilgrims coming to America in the 1600s, Young said.
He helped the Pilgrims establish themselves in Massachusetts.
'It is a symbol of service,' Young said. 'It reminds us to help others in need.'
Julie Martin, 21, an accounting graduate student from Las Vegas, said she always assumed the statue was a symbol of surrounding Indian culture.
Sophomore Lana Higbee, 19, a sophomore from Provo majoring in English, said she thought it was 'one of the big leaders of a tribe in Utah.'
Likewise, Drew Johnson, 21, a sophomore from Albuquerque, N.M., majoring in history, said he thought it was 'celebrating Indian heritage.'
'It''s kind of ironic that they didn''t choose a Western figure,' said Jay Buckley, coordinator of Native American Studies at BYU.
'Chief Massasoit is noted for his peace and friendship with the Pilgrims but has no western or Mormon connection that I am aware of,' Buckley said.
Buckley said there are several Western tribes and Indians that would represent service as well.
He said one such leader is Chief Washakie, an Indian from western Wyoming who converted to Mormonism and was friends with Brigham Young.
Chief Massasoit was part of the Wampanogas tribe in southern Mass. and Rhode Island.
There are other Massasoit statues on Cole Hill in Plymouth, Mass. and at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City.