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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø'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 Community Enrichment (OCE), and the Center for Native American & Indigenous Research (CNAIR) invites our community to reflect on ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø'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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s place in this history. Join us in one or all three events.
- Each year, we host a screening of the film that ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø commissioned in partnership with Sand Creek Massacre Descendant Representatives, “Only the Mountains and the Earth”. Following the film, a CNAIR Faculty affiliate leads a discussion. After the event, we gather outside to smudge and be in community as needed.
- To create a grounding environment, we rely on making and creating while we engage in the heavy topic of a massacre and the associated impacts. Each year, we gather to make tobacco ties, custom pins, and a banner that will be used for the Procession.
- Movement is also another avenue for grounding and healing. In alignment with Sand Creek descendants that walk the 300 miles from Eads to Denver, Colorado each year, we walk in a procession on ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Evanston campus. Each year, we gather at the John Evans Alumni Center for opening remarks and then begin a .7 mile.7-mile procession throughout campus, stopping at two additional stops for remarks, ending at the Center for Native American & Indigenous Research for a fire, reflection, and warm drinks.
Report of the Native American Outreach and Inclusion Task Force
Only the Mountains and the Earth Film
As an educational institution, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, 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: This film references genocidal violence in historical accounts; viewer discretion advised.
While this film will help us gain a deeper understanding into the history of the Sand Creek Massacre and its 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