Native American Paintings Get Hard Look Amid Capitol Repairs

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group of lawmakers and experts guiding the state Capitol's renovation is discussing how to overhaul the building's art collection that some believe unfairly depicts Native Americans.

Several paintings of Native Americans were displayed prominently inside the Capitol before it was closed to the public for repairs. That includes a few images showing Native Americans in stereotypical clothing and another with a bare-chested woman.

A panel of the Capitol Preservation Committee met Monday but didn't make any final decisions. The group is mulling whether to remove some paintings when the building reopens in 2017. Another option is putting up placards to explain and correct inaccuracies.

Group member Gwen Westerman says some of the paintings leave visitors with an incomplete or wrong picture of Native Americans.

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