In 1957, Camp Turner at Chautauqua Lake donated a Native American statue to the diocese. Seminarians and Friars from St. Bonaventure had been spending part of their summers at Camp Turner. They, along with representatives from Canisius and Niagara, wanted the Native American statue for their universities. After much debate, the statue was given to St. Bonaventure because it represented the spirit of St. Bonaventure's mascot (the the Brown Indian), as well as the history of the area. St. Bonaventure's incoming Freshman class was required to clean the statue before it was placed on top of Butler Gym in 1958. The statue remained on the roof of Butler Gym for almost twelve years, and was subjected to multiple pranks and practical jokes by St. Bonaventure students.

In 1969, the statue was removed from the roof of Butler Gym because of its weight, and relocated to the newly opened Rathskeller. During its four years in the Skeller, the statue was often found with a student's coat or cigarette butt on it.

The statue was removed from the Skeller in the summer of 1972 by the Rathskeller's manager, Leo Titus. Its next home was the office of the Chief of Security, Wilber K. Hoffman, and eventually the Campus Ministries in 1973.

It is unknown when the Native American statue came to rest at its current location in the Quick Center.

Sources:

Reed, William. "Former 'Skeller Indian-- a campus mascot for 16 years." The Bona Venture, April 6,  

    1973,7.

"Indian Statue Tinted Green--Not Brown!" The Bona Venture, January 12, 1962, 7.