City Announces 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day Events

Each year, the City of Boulder provides support to organizations that recognize Indigenous Peoples Day through events and celebrations honoring the existence, culture and contributions of the original inhabitants of North America. Through this support, the city and its community partners work to promote knowledge about Indigenous Peoples and honor the city’s Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution.

In 2016, the Human Relations Commission and community members drafted the Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution (Resolution No. 1190), which was presented at the Aug. 2, 2016, Boulder City Council meeting and adopted by the City of Boulder. It declared the second Monday of October of each year to be Indigenous Peoples Day. The resolution also guides the city’s ongoing collaboration with American Indian Tribal Nations and ongoing work to correct omissions of Indigenous Peoples' presence in places, resources and cultural programming.

This year, the city’s Housing and Human Services department and Office of Arts and Culture have provided funding for several community events to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day 2023. Community events will occur from Oct. 8 through Oct. 14 and are free and open to the public. Find information provided by event organizers below.

• “From ENOUGH of the Zapatistas to the construction of Alternatives,” Luna Cultura. This event will create a participatory space from which history, resilience and the construction of alternatives for well-being are collectively recovered by connecting with the past and present of the ancestral peoples of our ancestors that we are part of and that nourish our identity. Polyphonic dialogues. Construction of alternatives for good and good living. The goal of the event is connectivity, coexistence, identity recognition and exploration, exchange, recovery and appreciation of the ancestral and contemporary wisdom of indigenous peoples. Activities include presentation, oral tradition, music and food.
• “Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration,” Right Relationship. The Indigenous Peoples Day mission is to honor Indigenous Peoples Day, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, bring cultural and educational programs to engage Boulder Valley area residents and raise awareness of the City of Boulder’s Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution. Our goal is to plan and implement engaging and educational programs with Native tribes for Indigenous People and residents of the city of Boulder. The event is scheduled to be a whole day event, free and open to the public, with four educational panels, Dancers, Drummers, and Vendors. We will provide appropriate honoraria for all the Native performers and presenters. With our partner organizations, we will assure the participation of Native and non-Native youth, elders, university students, and community members. Right Relationship Boulder is committed to facilitating this process. With the support of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies and CU, we plan to record the sessions for future educational use. Equity issues will be addressed directly during the event and throughout the year.
• “Tiahui (say chi a whee): Weekend of Danza, Bookmaking, and Indigenous Language Workshops,” La Vecindad at Mi Chantli. Embrace, honor, and celebrate indigenous culture and heritage though the lens of ancient Mexican traditions. This event will engage the community through art, songs, dance, food and bookmaking workshops, to help amplify and reclaim indigenous heritage and wisdom. From Oct. 8 and 9, we’ll hold activities such as bookmaking workshops pertaining to Aztec glyphs from the Aztec Sun Stone. In Danza Azteca, newcomers observe while performers begin with an ofrenda followed by ceremonial dance and rituals that vary with the season. Mi Chantli will facilitate creating art and books using printmaking techniques with urban stamps. The projects and workshops are intended to educate and teach the Mexican language, Nahuatl. Traditional native foods will be served and prepared. Tamales will be offered and tortilla making stations will be set up to discuss and expand on the blessings and importance of the corn to the many indigenous tribes of this continent.
• “Indigenous People’s Day,” Out Boulder County. This Indigenous People’s Day Celebration will celebrate the intersection between queerness and indigeneity. The event will center and uplift indigenous artists and promote awareness of two-spirit people in Boulder. There will be catered food, dance performances from indigenous artists, as well an educational component consisting of a presentation and/ or a speaker on the topic of indigeneity and its intersection with queerness.
• “Honoring Indigenous Food Sovereignty,” CU Boulder Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Amidst the pervasive impacts of settler colonialism resulting in the continued desecration of Indigenous land, Native peoples continue to fight and regain control of their food supplies. This event highlights local Indigenous chefs who are keeping Indigenous food traditions alive. Join us for an evening of good food, community, and celebration of Indigenous knowledge.

For additional information about Indigenous Peoples Day, including event details, visit the city’s website.

The City of Boulder appreciates the opportunity to listen and learn from American Indian Tribal Nations who are collaborating with the city on several ongoing projects, including a long-term plan for a city-managed open space area that has a direct, local connection to the Sand Creek Massacre. For information on that project, along with other work with Tribal Nations, please visit our Tribal Engagement and Consultation webpage.