Land Acknowledgement

Auraria Higher Education Center

Land Acknowledgement

As we gather today, we honor and acknowledge that the Auraria Higher Education Center is on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Nations. This area was also the site of trade, hunting, gathering, and healing for many other Native Nations: The Lakota, Ute, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Shoshone, and others.

We recognize the Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land, water, plants, and animals who called this place home.  As these words of acknowledgment are spoken and heard, the ties that these nations have to their traditional homelands are renewed and reaffirmed. Let us also acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal. We respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather. We pay our respect to them and give thanks to all Tribal Nations and the ancestors of this place.

We also want to recognize the community and families of Auraria who lived, worked, and worshipped at Auraria.  The decision to provide this sacred land in order to create a permanent home for Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver was a difficult one.  Let us honor the families of Auraria and their generous contribution, which made this public campus of higher education possible to benefit so many.

Presented by AHEC and approved by the Auraria Board of Directors (ABOD) at the October 19, 2021 ABOD meeting