Sand Creek
On November 29th, 1864, while John Evans was governor of Colorado and territorial superintendent of Indian Affairs, a Cheyenne and Arapaho village along Sand Creek in the Colorado Territory was attacked by United States soldiers. Around 200 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed, most of them women, children and elders.
The Sand Creek Massacre remains one of the worst atrocities committed by US soldiers in history and remains in the recent memory of Cheyenne and Arapaho people. As an institution founded by John Evans, it is within Â鶹´«Ã½'s obligation to assist the healing from these events. Numerous events are held each year to learn about and learn from the Sand Creek Massacre, including a commemoration of the event held every November.
about the tragedy of the Sand Creek Massacre and read first-hand accounts from U.S. soldiers, which helped lead to the establishment of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.
Sand Creek Massacre Commemoration Series
In the spirit of healing, the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), Multicultural Students Affairs (MSA), Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI), and the Center for Native American & Indigenous Research (CNAIR) invites our community to reflect on Â鶹´«Ã½'s role in supporting the healing efforts of Cheyenne and Arapaho communities. Join us in a 3-part series to learn about the massacre and Â鶹´«Ã½’s place in this history. Join us in one or all three events.
We will be screening the film “Only the Mountains and the Earth” and co-facilitators will help lead a discussion following the screening. After the event, we will gathering outside of The Block Museum to smudge and be in community as needed.
We will be making tobacco ties, custom pins, and a banner that will be used for the Procession planned for November 18, 2024.
We will walk about 0.7 miles and end at the CNAIR house at 515 Clark Street for a fire, reflection, and warm drinks. Weather can be unpredictable during this time of year, so please plan accordingly. There are no stairs along the walking route, and it follows a paved concrete path, however, the route ends on a lawn with grass and some uneven ground.
Short option: Meet in front of the John Evans Alumni Center (1800 Sheridan Road) for remarks and then head 300ft west down Clark Street to meet the group outside of the CNAIR House (515 Clark Street).
Report of the Native American Outreach and Inclusion Task Force
Only the Mountains and the Earth Film
As an educational institution, Â鶹´«Ã½ is committed to discovering and discussing difficult aspects of its past. The University is undertaking several steps to engage this history and to work towards the present and future wellbeing of Cheyenne and Arapaho people and of the Indigenous peoples on whose ancestral homelands the University sits. This film, commissioned by Â鶹´«Ã½, is part of that effort seeking to gain deeper insight into that history by hearing directly the voices of descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre survivors.
Content Warning: genocide, violence, death
While this film will help us gain a deeper understanding into the history of the Sand Creek Massacre and it’s impact even today, it contains graphic content around violence and genocide, which may be triggering. So, we encourage you to take care of yourselves and your well-being as you engage with the content presented in this film. Please see our reflection guide to help you process the content you've viewed.
Link to video: (~12 minutes)
Link to Reflection Guide: Reflection Guide