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Native Hands
Sand Creek Massacre
Spiritual Healing Run 2001
Photograph by Tamar Scoggin
edited by Julie Klauss
The
West is unique for its geography, its canyons and mesas, mountains
and plains. But also for the groups of people who call it home.
The
West would not be what it is, and would not have the unique character
it possesses, if not for the way the region has been shaped by its
first inhabitants. Acknowledging the importance and relevance of
Native American points of view, issues, and events is one of the
Center's goals. Through scholarship and connections the Center has
built with organizations such as the Council of Energy Resource
Tribes, the Native American Rights Fund, the American Indian College
Fund, the Western American Indian Chamber, and prominent individuals,
the Center seeks to include a native view of every subject which
the Center covers. This main page includes links to recent research
and older scholarship that-while not extensive in its coverage of
the Centers work about Indian issues-gives an example of the Center's
work. Also included are links to prominent organizations and related
sites.
In 1987
Board Chair Professor Patricia Limerick released a historical study
of the name-sake of one of the University of Colorado's residence
halls, Nichols Hall (now Cheyenne-Arapahoe Hall). David Nichols
was influential in the establishment of the University and, as an
Army officer, also participated in the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre
which occurred in eastern Colorado. The study examines the importance
of place names and the complicated politics and realities involved
in the telling and representation of history. Click on the title
below to read the report.
Nichols
Hall Report
For
its upcoming publication, The Handbook of the New West, the Center
engaged in discussions with communities all over the West, asking
them to identify what issues westerners should know about. One recurring
sentiment was that "it is important to remember that the Native
Americans were here first." When asked how that should be done
or for greater elaboration, we met with puzzled (bewildered?) silence.
The history of non-Indian folks attempting to 'honor' and 'help'
Native Americans has predominantly ranged from awkward and ineffective
to disrespectful (disingenuous?) and damaging. Folks from both native
and popular culture are aware of this history, which has made the
topic of (support? aid? assistance?) a hot kettle, which neither
side has a handle to touch without feeling burned. In the fall of
2001, the Center conducted phone interviews of several leaders of
Native American organizations in an attempt to fashion some pot-grippers
for non-natives to get a handle on the issues involved. We asked
the individuals for suggestions about what issues interested non-natives
can get involved in and how they can go about contributing to Native
American causes in ways that are both effective and respectful.
Following are some of the interview transcripts and a summary of
the responses by importance.
Interviews
Click here for links to other websites
and resources for Native American Issues
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