During a rededication ceremony at the museum, Mayor Yvonne Parks proclaimed February 17 as Peter Wolf Toth Day. The massive Indian monument is a testament of a community coming together. More than 30 years ago the citizens of Desert Hot Springs pledged $2,000, and, along with the support of the Riverside County Fire Department and the State Division of Forestry, worked in concert to bring the 750-year-old sequoia to the city and have Toth carve his 27th Indian Monument. It was serendipitous that Toth created Waokiye (Lakota for traditional helper) on the very grounds and home of whom locals call “The Guiding Light” of Desert Hot Springs: Cabot Yerxa.

One can't help but draw similarities between these two artists. Cabot Yerxa spent a great deal of his life — over 40 years — trying to raise people's consciousness. He called tours that he conducted through his Indian museum “lectures,” and he would ask people to sign petitions to abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs that at the time was swollen with injustice. Cabot, like Toth, had a creative urge and genius. And Toth, like Cabot, has a passion to educate and prompt people to understand and respect one another. Cabot achieved this by becoming a “story teller.” His museum told the story of Buffalo Bill Cody, Ramona, and his own life living among Sioux and Inuits.

How fitting that Cole Eyraud who preserved and protected the museum for more than 26 years was instumental in Peter Toth coming to the museum to carve the Indian totem and become part of the history of his ongoing life's work. Toth carved number 73 last summer in his homeland of Budapest. He hopes to work on the banks of the Amazon River next.

Peter Toth is a great student of history, and, as a Hungarian refugee from the scourge of Communism in the 1950s, came to this country with a love for freedom and truth.

Peter worked very long hours on Waokiye. It was heart warming to see so many residents come to visit with him and become part of the project. Some wanted to talk and have pictures taken, others sat for long hours to see him work. Local artist Doreen Gayner came almost every day. Many came and played chess, a favorite pastime of Peter's. Courtney Moe, Steve Sobotta, and Phillip Fomotor came by to play chess and to help. Peter conducted all these chess matches while he was up on the scaffolding, using binoculars to see the chess board.

A large steel rod was inserted in the back of the Indian head, and Peter carved more age in to the face of his monument. Peter's good friend and fellow Hungarian, Zoli Cser from Zoltan Grading & Paving, Inc. provided much of the support for the project. Zoli's mother Maria and Father Lazlo came by for a visit as well. They were the owners of The Budapest Inn at 5th and Palm for more than 20 years. People still talk about the incredible food and wonderful hospitality of the Inn. Peter's brother Gabe Toth came up from Encinitas to help out, and John Tyner from the Penta Building Group was also on hand. Todd Young, owner of Reliable Roofing and Cabot Board Director, was there to help. Jeff Abbott, wood artist, provided an appreciated helping hand. David Peet of Total Marketing is to be thanked as well. Judy Gigante, who is part Native American and a Board Director of Cabot's, spearheaded the restoration project and spoke eloquently at the rededication ceremony. She compiled a commemorative booklet for the event that is sold at Cabot's Trading Post & Gallery.

Agua Caliente Tribal Chairman Richard Milanovich spoke at the dedication and stood beside Toth as his proclamation was read. He said, “Peter's gift is his compassion to be able to understand his fellow man” and “his ability to take up what we call 'the cause' and bring everyone to the same level of understanding.” It was a banner day for Cabot's.