The Keeper of the Plains: Wichita's Iconic Landmark

Few images are more synonymous with Wichita than the Keeper of the Plains. Created by renowned Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin, the 44-foot tall steel sculpture stands at the very point where the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers meet — land considered sacred by the Native peoples who called this region home.

Every evening at dusk, the "Ring of Fire" ceremony ignites gas-fed fire pots that surround the base of the sculpture, casting an otherworldly orange glow across the rivers. It's one of the most spectacular free shows in the entire region, drawing hundreds of spectators nightly.

The surrounding Mid-America All-Indian Center provides rich cultural context, and the riverwalk pathways on both banks make for a beautiful evening stroll before or after the flames light up the sky.