CU Denver’s community engaged in several activities on the Auraria Campus during Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to recognize and learn about the many diverse cultures of our Indigenous nations, to acknowledge the painful history and resilience of their people, and to focus on making an impact. Below are some photo highlights from a few of the events our Lynx participated in during this year’s Native American Heritage Month.
Kick-Off Event Showcases Women Warriers
For the opening ceremonies, CU Denver hosted three Native American Women Warriors, who, combined, have served more than 50 years. They are part of a nonprofit organization composed of Native American women who have served or serve in our armed forces. The kickoff event also included members from the Indigenous Corporation 5280, who shared some of their history through dance and drumming.
Tribe Flags Fly in the Tivoli
For the first time in Auraria Campus’ history, the Tivoli Student Union has flags on display of the Northern Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Cheyenne and Arapaho, Ute Mountain Ute, and Southern Ute Tribe—nations that once called campus’ land home.
Awareness and Educational Discussion on Sand Creek Massacre
Greg Spottedbird-Lamebull Cheyenne (left), a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and a Sand Creek Massacre descendent, shared the complex and similar histories of Colorado’s Sand Creek Massacre and Amache. During the Sand Creek Massacre, U.S. Army soldiers killed more than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people in southeastern Colorado. Amache was one of the internment camps in Colorado during World War II, where more than 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated from 1942 to 1945.