Events honor the existence, culture and contributions of the original inhabitants of North America.

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. The City of Boulder recognizes the second Monday in October each year as Indigenous Peoples Day.

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 2024. Community events will occur from Oct. 12 through Oct. 14 and are free and open to the public. Find information provided by event organizers below.

  • Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Indigenous Peoples Day: Solidarity Economy, Degrowth and Climate Justice
    • Where: Boulder Creek Meeting Room at the Main Boulder Public Library (1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO)
    • Details: Join Luna Cultura to learn about Solidarity Economy and Climate Justice through art, poetry, music, and collective learning, connecting with ancestral practices focused on social and climate justice. Breakfast and supplies are included while supplies last. This is a family-friendly, inclusive, and sober event.
    • Register through Google Forms
  • Sunday, Oct. 13 from 12 to 5 p.m. - Mi Chantli Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration: Tiahui (say chi a whee): A Weekend of Danza, Bookmaking, and Indigenous Language Workshops
    • Where: Mi Chantli (1750 30th St., Unit #22, Boulder, CO)
    • Details: Join Mi Chantli for a weekend of art, food and education to create awareness of the Mexican/Chicano identity and Native American culture.
    • Registration is not required.
  • Sunday, Oct. 13 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Indigenous Peoples Day 2024
    • Where: Dairy Center for the Arts (2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO)
    • Details: Join Right Relationship Boulder to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. There will be panel discussions and presentations on Indigenous history in Colorado and current efforts to build relationships. Indigenous people will perform Native music and dance, and art will be on display in the Creative Nations space. The event will also include a Native American food truck. Right Relationship Boulder is organizing this event in collaboration with The Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Creative Nations, and the Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers.
    • Registration is not required.
  • Sunday, Oct. 13 from 3 to 6 p.m. - Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and Movie Screening
    • Where: Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains (3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO)
    • Details: Join Rocky Mountain Equity for food, poetry performances, visual art, music, and dance, along with activities for all ages, all aimed at raising awareness and celebrating the intersection of queerness and Indigenous cultures.
    • Register through Google Forms
  • Monday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. - Indigenous Peoples Day presented by Roots Music Project
    • Where: Roots Music Project (4747 Pearl St., Suite 3VA, Boulder, CO)
    • Details: Roots Music Project presents a night of musical performances to celebrate the diversity and cultural heritage of Indigenous artists with featured Indigenous Artist Cary Morin and Paloma.
    • Registration is not required.

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.

For additional information about Indigenous Peoples Day 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 the recent completion of a concept plan for city-managed open space that has a community connection to the Sand Creek Massacre. For information on the city’s ongoing collaboration with Tribal Nations, please visit our Tribal Engagement and Consultation webpage.

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