Aztlán Research Center: Colorado State University Pueblo Library

Indigenous Resistance

by Alejandro Ortega

Indigenous resistance and sovereignty is deeply rooted in the historical and ongoing trauma that Indigenous peoples have experienced as a result of colonization, forced assimilation, and genocide. The effects of colonization can still be seen in current times as Indigenous peoples are still statistically on the lower spectrum in regards to socioeconomic status. Indigenous peoples suffer high rates of depression and as a result Indigenous people suffer from substance abuse as a direct result of colonization. The study of epigenetics has shown that trauma can be passed down through generations, resulting in significant impairments on the mental, emotional, and physical well being of Indigenous communities. The trauma that Indigenous peoples have experienced is not unique to one group of people, it is shared collectively. Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples continue to resist and reclaim their land, culture, and sovereignty. This project will explore the concept of collective trauma and its impact on Indigenous communities, as well as exploring ongoing efforts in Indigenous resistance and sovereignty. By understanding the complexities of these ongoing issues, I believe we can better support the continued struggles of Indigenous peoples and work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

Image by Kevin Cahill, via History Colorado

1861 Treaty of Fort Wise

Prior to the Sand Creek Massacre, under the 1861 Treaty of Fort Wise, the Cheyenne and Arapaho people were granted the lands between the Arkansas and the Platte rivers including the majority of the Colorado Front Range. Under the treaty the Cheyenne and Arapaho agreed to allow safe passage to travelers along the Oregon Trail which passes through their land granted from the treaty.

Artist: Gregg Deal, "Suspect Device"

The Sand Creek Massacre

The Sand Creek Massacre is one of many dark times in American history that occurred on November 29, 1864, in southeastern Colorado. It involved the brutal killing of more than 200 peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho Indigenous people. Most of which were women and children, by the Colorado Territory militia. U.S. Army Colonel John Chivington was the commanding officer in charge at the time in the Colorado territory.

Standing Rock

In an act of resistance The Standing Rock Sioux, along with other Indigenous tribes and environmental activists, staged a months-long protest against the pipeline. The protest gained widespread support and international media coverage, with many seeing it as a symbol of Indigenous rights and environmental justice.

Image courtesy of Holistic Health- Dr. Yescavage

The Sacred Hoop

The Sacred Hoop, also known as the Medicine Wheel, is a sacred symbol and concept in many Indigenous cultures in North America that continues to survive colonization. The teachings of the Sacred Hoop were kept in secret among the Indigenous people since practicing their faith may result in severe punishment. The Indigenous people in an effort to survive had to keep the knowledge secret due to colonization and forced assimilation. The dominant belief at the time was Catholicism, many Indigenous had to convert and practiced their Indigenous ceremonies in secret.

The sacred hoop is a circular representation of the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world and the universe. The Sacred Hoop is often used in traditional ceremonies and spiritual practices to symbolize the balance and harmony between all living beings. Each of the four directions in the hoop represents a different aspect of life, such as the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realms. The Sacred Hoop is a powerful symbol that emphasizes the importance of respecting and caring for the natural world, as all living beings are seen as interconnected and equally important. It continues to play an important role in many Indigenous communities today as a reminder of their cultural heritage and connection to the land and continued resistance.

Image courtesy of SOAR

SOAR

Storytellers of the Ancestral Red Road is a collaboration of Indigenous peoples efforts to preserve their culture and history. Along with this SOAR holds community outreach events to bring together Indigenous people to continue resisting colonization.

Image courtesy of Denver March PowWow

Denver Pow Wow 2023

The Denver Pow Wow is Indigenous event where all tribes can come and dance as part of their prayers. At the pow wow's the groups of dancers is known as the Sun Dancers and historically they are able to dance for hours under the sun as part of their ceremony. The drums of the Indigenous tribes are incredible and can be felt throughout the crowd. This is another example of ongoing Indigenous resistance.

Indigenous Holistic Health Class

Very recently I had the opportunity to go on a horse back riding experience. The horse painted above was painted by Sam Gallegos. Sam taught us the connection between the Indigenous people and the horse and what the symbols mean.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Yescavage

Being one with the Horse

I consider this to be very important in understanding Indigenous people and the trauma they experienced from colonization and losing hunting land and horses.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Yescavage

References

Sand Creek Massacre : Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, Colorado. (New in 2017.). (2017). National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Bernholz. (2010). Citation Abuse and Legal Writing: A Note on the Treaty of Fort Laramie with Sioux, etc., 1851 and 11 Stat. 749. Legal Reference Services Quarterly, 29(2), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/02703191003751230

Johnson. (2021). Dina Gilio-Whitaker, As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock & Nick Estes, Our History is the Future: Standing Rock versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 15(2), 265–269. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.39921

Gulliford. (1996). Restoring the Sacred Hoop: Native Americans and Museums in Recent Publications of the Smithsonian Institution. The Public Historian, 18(3), 43–51. https://doi.org/10.2307/3379212

Deal, Gregg. "Merciless Indian Savages". El Pueblo History Museum. 2023.

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