Pojoaque Gov shows work at Smithsonian

POJOAQUE PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) - The governor of Pojoaque Pueblo has helped install one of his monumental bronze sculptures at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Gov. George Rivera installed the 12-foot sculpture, "Buffalo Dancer II," last week. It will be on display beginning with the celebration of National Native American Heritage Month at the museum.

It took Rivera about eight months to sculpt the piece. It's similar to one that stands in front of the pueblo's resort and casino north of Santa Fe.

For Pojoaque and other northern New Mexico pueblos, the Buffalo Dance is a celebration of thanksgiving.

A traditional Buffalo Dance group from Pojoaque will travel to the museum in late November to perform.