The Going West tapestry, woven by Zinta Beimane, documents the emigration of Swedes stretching from California to Alaska. Incorporated is text from the July 11, 1897, Seattle Post-Intelligencer ("Latest News from the Klondike") on the top left of the tapestry. An upward streak contains names of landmarks along the steep Klondike trail.
Framing the tapestry on either side are totem poles, a characteristic Native American symbol of the Pacific Northwest. The head of a huge bald eagle is shown watching lumberjacks stretching their arms around giant redwood trees. Chief Seattle resides at the top of the tapestry. Below, the Industrial Workers of the World are shown striking. Trains and cars are "going west."
Going West concludes the more than 350-year history of the emigration of Swedes to the United States. Almost 5 million people living in the U.S. today are of Swedish heritage. The last three tapestries focus on the contributions of three groups: The Artists, Inventors - Inventions - Entrepreneurs, and Today's Emigrants (woven by Lija Rage, Aiva Zurina, and Elina Lusis-Grinberga, respectively).
