AISES Commemorates the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre at the Colorado Legislature
AISES representatives participated in a powerful moment of reflection and unity at the 75th General Assembly of the Colorado Legislature. On April 14 they stood with tribal leaders, lawmakers, nonprofit leaders, and community members as elected leaders paid tribute to the victims of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre. Those gathered honored the memory of the hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho who were tragically killed, reaffirming the state’s commitment to truth, healing, and respect for Indigenous communities and highlighting the importance of remembering history and promoting a future grounded in justice and mutual respect.
Senators Kyle Mullica and Rod Pelton, along with Representatives Ty Winter and Tammy Story, supported Joint House Resolution 25-1024. The resolution was unanimously approved by both the Colorado House and Senate, paving the way for the new memorial.
History Colorado and the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation joined forces with other partners to raise funds for the memorial, to be created by artist Gerald Anthony Shippen. The memorial will be installed on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol grounds in 2026 in place of a Civil War monument toppled by protestors in 2020.
Sand Creek Massacre
In the early morning hours of November 28, 1864, a peaceful camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho along the banks of Big Sandy Creek was brutally attacked by over 600 volunteer Colorado Territory Militia soldiers. By the time the massacre ended, more than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho — most of them women, children, and elders — had been killed. The tribe’s leadership and governance suffered a devastating blow that day, with 10 Cheyenne chiefs and Arapaho Chief Left Hand among those who perished.
Cheyenne and Arapaho people — now numbering over 16,000 — honor the memory of their courageous ancestors who endured unimaginable hardships and loss at the Sand Creek and Washita Massacres.
Among the AISES staff members at the event were Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal members Raelene Whiteshield and Montoya Whiteman, who joined a group of descendants to witness the roll call and historic passage of a measure approving a memorial to honor the victims, 161 years later.
Raelene’s Family History
Raelene Whiteshield honors the enduring memory and legacy of her ancestors — Sand Hill of the Cheyenne and Bull Bear of the Arapaho. Her lineage carries the intertwined history of both tribes, with roots on her mother’s side through the Emhoolah (Arapaho) family, and on her father’s side through the White Shield (Cheyenne) family. Raelene and her family have long been devoted to commemorating their ancestors through active involvement in the Sand Creek Healing Memorial Run. For many years, they have not only participated in the run, but have also volunteered, helping others find strength and healing through remembrance.
Her understanding of Sand Creek was shaped at a young age through the oral histories passed down by her grandfather, John Emhoolah, Jr. He shared stories from his grandmother, who survived the massacre. He would recount how she described hiding along the river for days in the bitter cold, fearing the soldiers return.
Raelene’s father, Raymond, also passed down memories from his own grandmother — a woman who only spoke Cheyenne. He recalled her telling him, as a little boy, to always know where his shoes were before going to bed. She slept with her moccasins on, never knowing if she’d have to flee into the night.
Montoya’s Family History
Montoya Whiteman is a descendant of victims, survivors, and prisoners of war from both the Sand Creek and Washita Massacres.
Her great-great-grandmother White Buffalo Woman survived the two horrific attacks, and after the Washita Massacre was taken as a prisoner of war to Camp Supply in what is now the state of Oklahoma.
White Buffalo Woman witnessed the brutal slaughter of her Cheyenne people — first at the hands of the Colorado Militia led by Colonel John Chivington, a Methodist minister, and later under the command of General George Custer.
A midwife and horse doctor, White Buffalo Woman lived to age 86. She married, had seven children, and farmed with her husband, Big White Man, in the Cheyenne community now called Hammon in western Oklahoma.
White Buffalo Woman’s legacy lives on through generations of community servants, educators, and ceremonial knowledge holders. Through her legacy, a lineage has risen – devoted to service and preservation of Cheyenne culture, faith, and spiritual traditions. She held her great-granddaughter, Henrietta Mann, in a cradleboard. Mann would go on to become a national recognized Indigenous educator and a respected member of the AISES Council of Elders.
Honoring Indigenous Strength and Legacy on Memorial Day
The story of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes reflects the broader tapestry of injustices endured by Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. At AISES, we believe it is vital to share these stories — not only to remember the past but to deepen our collective understanding of both tribal and U.S. history.
For many in Indian Country, Memorial Day is more than a national observance. It is a sacred moment to reflect with dignity and pride on the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of our ancestors — the first Americans, who have always been deeply connected to and in love with this land.
As we honor these stories and engage in acts of remembrance and healing, we — the current generation — serve as a bridge between the past and the future. We are living testaments to the enduring legacy of our people, carrying forward their strength, wisdom, and hope.