In a recent accolade that celebrates a deepened commitment to cultural integrity, the City of Boulder has been recognized for its exemplary engagement with American Indian Tribal Nations. According to the City of Boulder, the American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA) presented the city with an award at their annual conference. This distinction honors organizations that go "above and beyond" mere compliance, fostering genuine relationships with Tribal Nations.
City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde expressed her appreciation for the Tribal Representatives' nomination, which played a significant part in securing this honor. "City staff who work with Tribal Representatives were deeply touched by the thoughtfulness Tribal Representatives put into their nomination that led to the city winning ACRA's Industry Public Sector award," said Rivera-Vandermyde, as per the City of Boulder. The award reflects a series of collaborative initiatives including a cooperative concept plan for Fort Chambers, Poor Farm, and a community program meant to share the rich tapestry of Tribal perspectives with the Boulder community. However, plans were somewhat thwarted by heavy snow that canceled an event, still, Tribal Nation Representatives found warmth in celebration through song and dance.
Among other notable collaborations, Boulder has worked closely with Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribal Representatives to reenvision the history-soaked property of Fort Chambers, connected to the Sand Creek Massacre. The city has also aimed to foster respect and understanding by developing a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding, and they have started creating an ethnographic education report, criticized by some for its delayed completion. Not to be overlooked, one of the more visible symbols of Boulder's engagement can be seen in the renaming of Settler’s Park to The Peoples’ Crossing, echoing the values of inclusivity spelled out in the city's Indigenous Peoples Day Resolution.
"Since the signing of their Indigenous People’s Day resolution in 2016, the City of Boulder has demonstrated a sincere commitment to acknowledging and addressing the history of Indigenous removal and mistreatment in the Boulder area," the ACRA nomination letter noted, "incorporating Indigenous voices into city-wide education and management programs, and cultivating authentic partnerships between Tribal and City governments." As stated by the City of Boulder, the Working Group and Tribal Consultation representatives have joined hands with Boulder since 2019 and hold Boulder as an exemplar for other cities in their Tribal Consultation efforts.
