Every year, the profound soul wounds of history compel descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre to conclude their Spiritual Healing Run at the imposing steps of the Colorado State Capitol, a poignant testament to the enduring impact of past atrocities and a powerful symbol of their persistent quest for justice and reconciliation. This annual pilgrimage underscores a critical truth: historical trauma does not dissipate with time; it demands active tending, acknowledgment, and healing. Standing before the empty pedestal on the Capitol’s west plaza, where a false narrative once stood, the path forward for Colorado toward genuine reconciliation remains starkly visible yet still incomplete. The future "Peace Keepers" memorial promises to be more than just a statue; it represents the state’s most crucial step yet in confronting a painful past and forging a more truthful future.

The tragic events of November 29, 1864, mark one of the darkest chapters in American history. On that fateful day, a peaceful encampment of approximately 700 Cheyenne and Arapaho people, who had been assured U.S. military protection and instructed to camp near Fort Lyon, were brutally attacked by a 700-man force of Colorado Territory militia under the command of Colonel John Chivington. Despite flying both an American flag and a white flag of surrender, the encampment, comprised predominantly of women, children, and elders, was subjected to an unprovoked slaughter. More than 200 lives were extinguished in an act of betrayal so profound that its reverberations continue to echo across generations, leaving an indelible scar on the collective memory of the affected tribes and the conscience of the nation. The massacre was not merely an isolated incident but the violent culmination of escalating tensions fueled by the Colorado Gold Rush, Manifest Destiny, and a pervasive anti-Indigenous sentiment that saw Native peoples as obstacles to westward expansion.

While military and congressional investigations, notably the Doolittle Committee, swiftly condemned the incident as a massacre, labeling Chivington’s actions as an act of "cowardice and perfidy," Colorado’s nascent territorial government and popular press initially celebrated it as a glorious victory. For decades, this narrative of triumph was enshrined in public memory and even physically manifested on the Colorado State Capitol grounds. A plaque on a Civil War monument misleadingly listed Sand Creek among Colorado’s "battles," perpetuating a historical lie that glorified the perpetrators and erased the suffering of the victims. This deliberate distortion of history served to legitimize the dispossession of Indigenous lands and lives, illustrating the profound power of official narratives to shape public perception and obscure uncomfortable truths.

The removal of that erroneous plaque marked a pivotal moment in Colorado’s journey toward historical reckoning. Its vacant space is now reserved for a powerful and necessary replacement: the "Peace Keepers" memorial. This bronze sculpture will honor the courageous and peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders, such as Chief Black Kettle and Chief Left Hand, who steadfastly upheld the promise of peace even as their people faced escalating violence and systemic dehumanization, ultimately paying the ultimate price. It will also commemorate the remarkable resilience of individuals like the unnamed Medicine Woman, who survived the massacre despite sustaining eight bullet wounds, symbolizing the enduring spirit of survival and healing within the Indigenous community. This memorial moves beyond mere remembrance of victims to celebrate the inherent dignity, wisdom, and commitment to peace exhibited by these leaders, offering a counter-narrative to the prevailing historical glorification of conquest.

In 2025, the Colorado Legislature and Governor Jared Polis took a critical, unanimous step by endorsing this monument. This historic legislative action goes beyond a simple recognition; it represents a profound affirmation that the truth about Sand Creek must no longer be hidden or sugarcoated. It serves as a public acknowledgment of institutional betrayal, a call for governmental forgiveness, and a solemn commitment to honoring the innocent lives lost. This bipartisan support for the memorial signifies a maturing understanding within the state’s leadership regarding its historical responsibilities and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths for the sake of future generations. It sets a precedent for how governments can engage with painful pasts, moving from denial to a path of recognition and respect.

However, the real work, the hardest work, lies not in legislative endorsements or bronze castings, but in the profound and ongoing process of healing. Healing, in this context, is not about forgetting or achieving a comfortable, convenient closure that allows society to move on without reflection. Rather, it is about recognizing that trauma is not confined to the annals of history; it is a living, breathing legacy. The profound soul wound of the Sand Creek Massacre continues to shape the lives of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people today, manifesting as intergenerational trauma that impacts their cultural identity, mental health, economic well-being, and trust in governmental institutions. The "Peace Keepers" memorial, therefore, is not simply a statue for Indigenous communities; it is a sacred space for all Coloradans—and indeed, all Americans—to confront that trauma, understand its enduring legacy, and begin the arduous but essential work of repairing the foundational trust of this state and nation.

Globally, Indigenous communities grapple with similar legacies of colonial violence, dispossession, and cultural suppression. From Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Australia’s Stolen Generations, the push for historical redress and acknowledgment of systemic injustices resonates worldwide. The Sand Creek Massacre, while specific to Colorado, mirrors a broader pattern of state-sanctioned violence against Indigenous peoples, making the "Peace Keepers" memorial a local embodiment of a universal struggle for human rights, historical accuracy, and genuine reconciliation. Its completion would send a powerful message beyond Colorado’s borders, affirming the importance of confronting historical truths and working towards restorative justice.

This historical tragedy offers a powerful, immediate cautionary tale for our current moment. The Sand Creek Massacre was not an isolated act of barbarism but a product of a toxic mixture of fear, hysteria, and the willful rejection of conscience. Colonel Chivington’s attack was fueled by politicians and a sensationalist press that systematically dehumanized the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, portraying them as existential threats and encouraging violence, effectively replacing diplomatic engagement with brute force and treachery. The public discourse of the era, rife with calls for extermination and demonization, created an environment where such atrocities became not only possible but, for many, justifiable.

Today, in our national discourse, we observe disquieting echoes of those same dangerous conditions. Rampant political division, the strategic spread of fear and disinformation, and the increasing temptation to view political opponents as existential enemies to be vanquished rather than fellow citizens to be negotiated with, mirror the historical patterns that enabled the massacre. When dialogue is supplanted by demagoguery, and diplomacy is dismissed in favor of confrontation, we are, consciously or unconsciously, laying the very groundwork that allowed the Sand Creek Massacre to happen. The lessons of history are clear: unchecked hatred and dehumanization inevitably lead to violence and profound societal harm.

The story of the "Peace Keepers" chiefs stands as an enduring beacon of humanity. It reminds us that even in the face of violent dehumanization, overwhelming military might, and the breaking of sacred promises, these Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders chose peace. Their profound sacrifice and unwavering commitment to dialogue call on all of us to stand for humanity, truth, and genuine dialogue, especially when the national atmosphere tempts us toward anger, division, and the demonization of others. Their legacy implores us to seek common ground, to listen, and to remember the shared human experience that transcends perceived differences.

Colorado faces a tangible deadline for this crucial commitment. The "Peace Keepers" memorial is scheduled for its dedication on November 29, 2026, a date strategically chosen to coincide with Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood. This confluence of anniversaries presents Colorado with a unique and powerful opportunity to declare, at the highest level, what kind of history it chooses to commemorate and what kind of future its citizens choose to build. It is a moment for the state to definitively align itself with truth, reconciliation, and the enduring values of peace and justice.

The Sand Creek Massacre Memorial Committee is working diligently to raise the final funds necessary for the bronze casting and installation of this vital monument. The recent securing of a generous matching gift signals a growing readiness within the broader community to stand in solidarity with the descendants and support this crucial endeavor. Allowing this pedestal to remain empty for another year would send a clear, disheartening signal that Colorado’s commitment to truth and reconciliation is merely theoretical, a performative gesture rather than a deeply felt imperative.

By actively supporting the completion of the "Peace Keepers" memorial now, Colorado declares that healing is a profound priority, not just for Indigenous communities, but for the entire state. It is a powerful choice to fill the void of a false, violent past with a permanent, visible testament to the courage, peace, and indomitable human spirit of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. This decision honors the past, provides a foundation for confronting contemporary challenges, and is utterly essential for the future health, healing, and moral integrity of the state of Colorado.