A site unlike any other in America
The Sand Creek Massacre is profound, symbolic, spiritual, controversial.
As 675 cavalrymen came around a prairie bend, the camps of Chiefs Black Kettle, White Antelope, and Left Hand lay in the valley before them. Chaotic, horrific, tumultuous, and bloody, the events of November 29, 1864 changed the course of history and forever altered the Cheyenne and Arapaho way of life.
US troops killed approximately 230 peaceful people - mostly women, children, and elders at the Big Sandy Creek. Among those massacred were Cheyenne and Arapaho chiefs and society headmen, severely impacting the traditional knowledge, language, social structures, ceremonies, songs, language, governing councils, and much more for generations.
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is the place where their spirits reside, where we come to learn, to remember, to heal, and to make sure such atrocities never happen again. It is a site unlike any other in America.
Our Mission
The Sand Creek Massacre Foundation is the non-profit partner of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, furthering its educational purposes and contributing to lifelong learning about the massacre. By supporting initiatives that encourage exploration of its relevance to our contemporary world, we seek to minimize the chances of similar atrocities from ever happening again. Our work honors the legacy of those who were lost, those who seek healing, and those who continue to be affected by this and other atrocities.
“ We should not be afraid to criticize and condemn that which is inexcusable…
On behalf of the State of Colorado, I want to apologize.
We will not run from this history.”
- Governor John Hickenlooper, 150th Anniversary of the Massacre
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THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE
Learn about the Massacre, what happened, and how it still impacts us today
LEARN ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Sand Creek Studies connects lessons from the past to create a better future
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Honor the legacy of the Massacre with a gift to help us educate current and future generations
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At peace with the United States and under its flag
As soldiers approached the camp at Sand Creek, Chief Black Kettle raised an American flag and a small white flag on a lodge pole as he had been instructed. The tribes were at peace with the United States and were led to believe they were protected under its flag.