Chief Glenna J. Wallace of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma recalled moving hesitantly to a viewing platform and seeing an impressive expanse of curves, heights, and breadths, basket after basket of Mother Earth molded and shaped into what was originally, and still should be, a living, revered natural sanctuary. She felt pride that the place and structure had been built by her ancestors, Native Americans in general, who loved it, repeatedly returned there on pilgrimages bringing valuables from throughout the United States, worshiped there, honored the Creator there, and preserved the sacred site.