Denver Unveils Oral History Project Centering on American Indian Community Voices

"We Are the Land" reframes Denver's origin story through Native perspectives, highlighting deep connections and resilience.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:47pm

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The City of Denver has released a new oral history project titled "We Are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver" that reframes the city's origin story through the lens of Native American experiences and perspectives. The three-year project, developed in partnership with Denver's American Indian community, includes a thematic history document, a documentary film, and community recommendations aimed at recognizing the integral role of traditional knowledge and oral histories in shaping Denver's cultural identity.

Why it matters

This project is significant in acknowledging the profound cultural, spiritual, and political significance that the Denver area has held for many Native nations long before the city's establishment. By centering the voices and experiences of American Indians, the project seeks to unveil the deep connections and resilience of these communities, while also addressing the lasting impacts of historical traumas like the Sand Creek Massacre.

The details

The project includes oral history interviews and two tribal convenings in Denver, where participants discussed the city as an ancestral homeland, a crossroads, and a sacred place. Representatives from tribes including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, Mountain Ute, and Southern Ute, as well as tribes from the Dakotas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, were invited to share their stories and perspectives. The project also highlights narratives of resilience, activism, and cultural renewal, particularly in relation to Denver's role as a center of urban relocation in the 1950s and 1960s.

  • The oral history project was released this week by the City of Denver's Landmark Preservation team.
  • A community celebration marking the project's release will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Abbey Christman

Principal planner for the City of Denver, who has been working in partnership with the American Indian community for more than three years to develop the project.

Dr. Jennifer Wolf

Director of Native American Culture and Education with Denver Public Schools, who emphasizes the importance of recognizing Denver's Native community today.

Denver's Landmark Preservation team

The team responsible for releasing the "We Are the Land" oral history project.

Denver's American Indian community

The community that has collaborated with the city for more than three years to develop the project and share their stories and perspectives.

Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, Mountain Ute, and Southern Ute tribes

Tribes with historical and cultural ties to the Denver area that participated in the project.

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What they’re saying

“The goal is to really tell the story of Denver's American Indian community. We've been working in partnership with the community for more than three years now to hear their stories and hear what they want the community to know, what they want Denver to know.”

— Abbey Christman, Principal planner, City of Denver (9news.com)

“Colorado is home to, traditionally, 51 different tribes, and so in fact, Denver is the traditional homeland of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people.”

— Dr. Jennifer Wolf, Director of Native American Culture and Education, Denver Public Schools (9news.com)

“The term we call mataquiasse means we are all related, means that we are all related to each other as people, and we are all related to our land.”

— Dr. Jennifer Wolf, Director of Native American Culture and Education, Denver Public Schools (9news.com)

What’s next

The documentary film produced as part of the "We Are the Land" project will premiere at the community celebration on Saturday, February 17, 2026, and will be broadcast on Denver's Channel 8 and made available online in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This project represents an important step in acknowledging and honoring the deep, enduring connections that Native American communities have to the land and history of Denver. By centering these voices and perspectives, the city is working to reframe its origin story and foster a more inclusive understanding of its cultural identity and heritage.