In November 2020, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes submitted a proposal to rename Mount Evans as Mount Blue Sky
Sand Creek Massacre – November 29, 1864
At the same time Evans was declaring war against Native Americans and organizing local militias to carry it out, Colonel John Chivington, commander of the Colorado Military District declared martial law, which usurped Evans’ vigilante forces into an organized militia. Chivington then turned that militia against the Native Americans of the plains. The results were disastrous.
The militia found hundreds of peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho camped at Big Sandy Creek. The Native Americans had moved to the Big Sandy after reporting to Ft. Lyons—as ordered by Governor Evans’ first proclamation—and being ordered by the military commander there to do so. Upon seeing the army amassing above their camp, Cheyenne leader Mo’ohtavetoo’o (Black Kettle) raised an American flag and a white flag to signal their peaceful intentions. Despite this, Chivington directed the force to attack.
Educational Webinars
Importance of Renaming
During this webinar, you’ll learn more about Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho) history in present-day Colorado, the renaming process, and how you can support tribal efforts to rename Mt. Evans and Sq___ in Clear Creek County.
The Other Side of the Story
We can’t change the past. However, we can learn more about Colorado’s colonial history to better understand what happened to Indigenous People living within the state and how this colonial violence impacts Indigenous People today.
LANDBACK
During this webinar, we will discuss common misconceptions around the LANDBACK movement with Indigenous activists and leaders working within their local communities. You’ll learn that LANDBACK is a powerful means of present-day reparations.
The Life and Times of Chief Left Hand
The 19th century saw many drastic and destructive changes to the Front Range. With so many changes, it can be difficult to keep track of who did what and how it related to other events. Here is a visualization of the time period. It starts at the beginning of the 1800s and continues through to the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. It’s centered on Chief Left Hand but also includes other prominent people of the time, such as Chief Black Kettle, Evans, and Chivington.
References: Rocky Mountain PBS “Colorado Experience: Sand Creek Massacre”; “Chief Left Hand,” Margaret Coel; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and The Wilderness Society Proposal for Mt. Blue Sky;
“Niwot (Left Hand)” Colorado Encyclopedia“