Native American

Denver Community Overview

Colorado is a diverse state with approximately 21,319 American Indians, representing various tribes, living throughout the state with the largest concentration along the Front Range area. According to the 2000 census, the American Indian population in Colorado increased over 62% from 1990. Tanya Ishikawa writes, “With Denver’s central location between the desert tribes of the southwest and the plains tribes east of the Rocky Mountains, the metropolitan area has become home to more than 20,000 Native Americans. These descendents of the Cheyenne, Lakota, Kiowa, Navajo, and at least a dozen tribal nations are an integral part of the city’s social and economic life. Despite their diversity, they are a tight-knit group, sharing the same strong commitment to family and cultural survival." We encourage you to take time to learn more about the history of American Indians in Colorado by visiting some of the cultural resources listed below.

Resources: http://www.denvergov.org/culturalitineraries/NativeAmericanArtsCulture/tabid/427462/Default.aspx

Community Resources

Denver American Indian Commission
Darius Lee Smith
720-913-8458
darius.smith@denvergov.org
www.denvergov.org/NativeAmerican

The Mission of the Denver American Indian Commission is to enhance present and future communications between the Denver American Indian Community and the City and County of Denver, to advocate for social and cultural awareness and to promote economic and political equality.

The Council of Energy Resources
http://www.certredearth.com/about.php
The Council of Energy Resources Tribes works to support member Tribes as they develop their management capabilities and use their energy resources as the foundation for building stable, diversified self-governing economies (according to each Tribe's own values and priorities).

Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs
Contact: Ernest House, Jr. at the Office of the Lt. Governor
303-866-3027
Ernest.House@state.co.us
http://www.colorado.gov/ltgovernor/initiatives/indianaffairs.html
In 1976, the Colorado General Assembly created (See C.R.S. §§ 24-44-101 to 24-44-108), within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA). The Lieutenant Governor serves in the statutory role as chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. The Commission was designed to be the official liaison between the two Ute Tribes and the State of Colorado. Legislators and tribal leaders envisioned a productive relationship between the state and tribal governments. Since its inception, the Commission has worked with the two Ute Indian Tribes in Colorado and the off-reservation American Indian people who live in Colorado.

There are 11 members of the Commission, including the Lieutenant Governor, the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, Public Health and Environment, Natural Resources, and Local Affairs; two official representatives each from Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes and two at-large members who are selected by the commission at its first meeting and annually thereafter. Other state agencies serve as ex-officio members to provide advice and guidelines on the agencies' federal or state obligations affecting American Indians.

http://www.colorado.gov/ltgovernor/initiatives/IndResDirc2004.pdf
These 66 pages are PDF files and contain information about the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Native Americans in general and Colorado natives in particular.

Dineh of Denver
GenBTOldeo@DinehofDenver.com
http://www.dinehofdenver.com/
Dine of Denver is a Navajo co-op, open to all Navajo in Northern Colorado. They are committed to meeting the needs of all Navajo in Northern Colorado by promoting closeness and harmony with their fellow Diné, pooling their collective knowledge and resources, and extending a helping hand to their fellow Diné whenever possible. They also assist each other in handing down the sacred Navajo heritage, culture, language, and folklore to Navajo children. They celebrate the cultural heritage together by planning children's events, dinners, holiday celebrations, etc. all while promoting a network of business referrals from as many sources as possible to all Navajo enterprises here in Colorado.

Denver Indian Health & Family Services, Inc.
1633 Fillmore St, GL-1
Denver, CO 80206
303-781-4333
info@dihfs.org
http://www.dihfs.org/index.htm

The Denver Indian Family Resource Center
393 Harlan St., Suite 100
Lakewood, CO 80226
303-871-8035
http://www.difrc.org/
The Denver Indian Family Resource Center’s mission is to strengthen vulnerable American Indian children and families through collaborative and culturally responsive services. The Denver Indian Family Resource Center was created to assist American Indian children and families in the metropolitan Denver area with child welfare issues.

Denver Indian Center
4407 Morrison Road
Denver, CO 80219
303-936-2688 or 1-877-8-INDIAN
http://www.denverindiancenter.org/
The Denver Indian Center provides services and activities promoting self-sufficiency in a culturally sensitive atmosphere. The Center offers employment and training services and community resources and referrals. The Center continues to be a highly sought after location for the community to gather for powwows and various other activities held at the facility throughout the year.

International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management
444 S. Emerson Street
Denver, CO 80209
303-733-0481
iiirm@iiirm.org
http://www.iiirm.org/
International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management is a law and policy research institute. They were established in Denver, Colorado in 1997, the Institute's cadre of internationally-based legal scholars and researchers work on cutting-edge projects designed to empower native peoples by examining the role the law can play in establishing and enhancing indigenous peoples' control over and management of their lands and resources.

The Native American Rights Fund
1506 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302-6296
303-447-8760
http://www.narf.org
The Native American Rights Fund is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide. NARF’s practice is concentrated in five key areas: the preservation of tribal existence; the protection of tribal natural resources; the promotion of Native American human rights; the accountability of governments to Native Americans; and the development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues.

National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC)
720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 650-S
Denver, CO 80246
720-382-2244
http://www.nnaapc.org
The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) helps organizations that serve Native communities to plan, develop and manage HIV/AIDS prevention, intervention, care and treatment programs. To address the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians through culturally appropriate advocacy, research, education, and policy development in support of healthy Indigenous people.

National Tribal Justice Resources Center
1601 Randolph Road S.E., Suite 120-N
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-224-9644
mail@tribalresourcecenter.org
http://www.tribalresourcecenter.org/
While not located in Denver, the National Tribal Justice Resources Center is the largest and most comprehensive site dedicated to tribal justice systems, personnel and tribal law. The Resource Center is the central national clearinghouse of information for Native American and Alaska Native tribal courts, providing both technical assistance and resources for the development and enhancement of tribal justice system personnel.

Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce
Mailing:
RMICC P.O. Box 40749
Denver, CO 80204
Office:
924 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 104F
Denver, CO 80204
303-629-0102
info@rmicc.org
www.rmicc.org
Works to promote your business, provide resources and opportunities to leverage your success, and forge alliances that foster opportunities and growth for your company. Serving the Rocky Mountain region for over 14 years, they are help to bridge economic opportunities among corporations, American Indian-owned businesses and Tribes.

Restaurants

Browse Native American Restaurants

Businesses

The Native American Bank
999 18th Street, Suite 2460
Denver, CO 80202
1-800-368-8894
http://www.nativeamericanbank.com/
The Native American Bank is a federally-chartered bank that is owned by Native American Bancorporation, a bank holding company that has been organized by a group of Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Corporations. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado Native American Bank’s Denver office serves customers across the country as well as those in the Denver Metro area. Please call NAB’s Denver Office representative for available services.

Native American Tourism Alliance
1900 Wazee, Suite 10
Denver, CO 80202
303-661-9819
www.nativetourismalliance.org
The Native Tourism Alliance is a network of tour operators, tribal attractions, and various tourism associations. They work together to create tourism programs that are culturally, ecologically, and economically sustainable.

News and Media

FortNet
http://www.fortnet.org/PowWow/events.html
This online resource offers event listings for upcoming regional Native American Events

Indian Country Today
3059 Seneca Turnpike
Canastota, NY 13032
1-888-327-1013
bsherman@indiancountry.org
Since 1981, Indian Country Today has been a persuasive voice in American Indian journalism, leading the way with accurate and timely reporting, incisive analysis and pointed commentary. Indian Country Today publishes more original journalistic content on American Indian issues than any other news source.

KGNU Radio
88.5 FM Boulder
89.1 Fort Collins
or live on the web at the above time at http://www.kgnu.org

KGNU produces the Indian Voices can be heard on Sunday Afternoons from 3 - 4 PM. (MST). The Indian Voices Newsletter brings you an up to date calendar of events relevant to American Indian issues: http://kgnu.org/indianvoices/newsletter.html

News From Indian Country
Paul DeMain
Managing Editor
715-634-5226 Ex. 24
http://indiancountrynews.com/
Indian Country Communications, Inc. is an independent, Indian-owned, reservation based business. They are located on the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Reservation in Northern Wisconsin and are one of the few tribally oriented publications that is not owned, or politically controlled by a tribal government.

Lakota Country Times
316 Main Street, Suite A
P.O. Box 386
Martin, SD 57551
605-685-1868
lakota1868@gwtc.net
mailto:production@lakotacountrytimes.com
http://www.lakotacountrytimes.com
Lakota owned and operated news source providing news from around the nation.

Navajo Times
928-871-6642
http://www.navajotimes.com/
The Navajo Times was established by the Navajo Tribal Council in 1959 as a newsletter. The first issue of the newspaper was published in 1960. Its mission is to inform the Navajo people of events, news and issues of importance to them, whether from within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation or throughout the United States. The Navajo Times is circulated in the Four Corners region and the rest of the U.S. through subscriptions. The Navajo Times headquarters is in Window Rock, Ariz., with an office in Shiprock, N.M.

Native Peoples Magazine
5333 N 7th St, Suite C224
Phoenix, AZ 85014
888-262-8483 toll free
602-265-4855
602-265-3113 fax
info@nativepeoples.com
www.nativepeoples.com
Published six times a year with a focus on the arts, culture and lifeways of the Native peoples of the Americas. It also reports on topics related to business, health, education, politics, sports, travel in “Indian Country,” the environment, food, language, history and other subjects associated with Native American life past and present.

Rez NET : Newz and viewz by Native American students
http://www.reznetnews.org/
Reznet is a Native American and American Indian news, information and entertainment Web site that also trains and mentors Native American college students around the country as they prepare for journalism careers.

Fun, Sports and Culture

alternative Voices
3020 Lowell Blvd.
Denver, CO 80211
303-477-8442
www.alterNativeVoices.org
alterNative Voices plays native music as well as has interviews with Natives musicians, and provides airplay to them. Their mission is to entertain, educate, empower and generally promote positive excellence and appropriate role models by and for American Indian people.

Buffalo Bill Museum
987 ½ Lookout Mountain Road
Golden, CO 80401
303-526-0744
www.buffalobill.org
Established in 1921, the museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the life, times, and legacy of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Exhibits are about Buffalo Bill’s life and his Wild West Show, including artifacts from Native Americans who were with the Show, such as Sitting Bull and Short Bull (a leader of the Ghost Dance). The museum’s 65 acres also include Buffalo Bill’s grave, a large gift shop and cafe, picnic areas, and breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. Native Americans make presentations and performances here during two special annual events: Buffalo Bill’s birthday celebration in February, and Buffalo Bill’s burial commemoration in June.

Buffalo Herds at Genesee and Daniels Parks
Just West of Denver on I-70
www.buffalobill.org
Buffalo, or the American Bison, have always been an important part of Native American life in the western U.S., supplying food, shelter, and many other resources to tribal nations of the Great Plains and others. The City of Denver has been protecting buffalo herds since the early 1900s. In 1914, the city inaugurated its first game preserve at Genesee Parkto assist the federal government in protecting bison and elk from extinction. Originally, seven bison were delivered to the park from the few remaining wild bison in Yellowstone Park. In the 1930s the city started another bison herd at Daniels Park in Douglas County. Approximately 24 adult cows and two bulls are kept in each herd, and the public can freely observe these animals in their natural habitat.

To visit the herds from the Denver area, go west on Interstate 70 to the Genesee Park exit (exit 254). There is a tunnel under the freeway that the animals can go through so they may be on either side of the highway. To go to Daniels Park, take Interstate 25 south to Castle Pines Parkway (exit 188). Follow that road west to Daniels Park Road, then travel north on Daniels Park Road. The Bison may be on either side of the road. The animals can roam freely on large open areas, and may be difficult to see in the summer months. The best time to see them is during daily feeding in the late fall, winter, and early spring.
Source: www.denvergov.org

Colorado History Museum
1300 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-3682
www.coloradohistory.org
The Colorado History Museum features displays of authentic and replicated historical artifacts from the Native Americans who lived in the state. Special galleries also feature changing exhibitions on life and culture in the American West. The museum exhibits immerse you in American Indian culture and ancient life and are well worth seeing.

Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
720-865-5000
www.denveratmuseum.org
The Denver Art Museum features an impressive Native Arts collection. The American Indian collection (19,000-plus objects) represents the artistic works of over 100 tribes across the United States and Canada. The Native Arts Department brings Native American artists to the museum to speak about their work and the museum sponsors an annual Friendship Pow Wow each September.

Denver Botanic Gardens
1005 York St.
Denver, CO 80206
720-865-3500
www.botanicgardens.org
The Denver Botanic Gardens features a unique area known as the Sacred Earth garden, which is inspired by the Navajo and Pueblo cultures of the Four Corners area. This garden demonstrates the importance of plants in the lives of American Indians.

Denver March Powwow, Inc.
PO Box 19178
Denver, CO 80219
303-934-8045
committee@denvermarchpowwow.org
http://www.denvermarchpowwow.org
Denver March Pow Wow holds a pow wow for all American Indians. A pow wow is a gathering, a social occasion, and a time for Indian peoples to come together to sing and dance, and to honor the heritage that has been passed down to them from their ancestors.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80205
303-370-6357
www.dmns.org
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science features many permanent collections highlighting the history of American Indian people in this region, as well as the special feature of the North American Indian Cultures Hall exploring how basic human life needs for shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and tools are met by various cultures. The exhibit includes weavings, replicas of ancient housing, and multi-cultural videos.

Denver Singers
Frank Sherwood, Leader
http://denversingers.planetharrison.com
Traditional singing and drumming, available for parties, gatherings and special events.

Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios
Nita J. Gonzales, M.Ed.
2949 N. Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80211
303-964-8993
www.escuelatlatelolco.org
Various educational and community activities focused on Hispanic and Native American people. Students are taught cultural expression that empowers each of them through critical and creative thinking.

Four Winds Survival Project
215 West 5th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
303-629-0224
www.russellmeans.com
A church and resource center including activities such as a women’s empowerment circle and Indian ceremony, sewing, weaving, and advocacy projects, located in a historic landmark. Every Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m. people of all Native American Nations are welcomed to take part in Sacred Ceremony. Four Winds warmly welcomes everyone to unite with the People.

Indian Language Classes
Christian Indian Center
501 S. Pearl St.
Denver, CO 80209
303-556-2726

Leanin’ Tree, Inc.
6055 Longbow Dr.
Boulder, CO 80301
1-800-777-8716
www.leanintreemuseum.com
Established in 1974, the museum exhibits American Western art, including original paintings and bronze sculptures created since 1955 by Native American and other artists illustrating the history of the American West. The museum employs Native American graphic artists, warehouse workers, printers, etc., and the gift shop carries many items that feature Native American art.

Native American Dance Class
SW Improvement Council
1000 S. Lowell Blvd.
Denver, CO 80219
303-934-0923
www.swic-denver.org
Thurs. 6-9 p.m.—open to everyone.

Native American Sports Council
719-632-5282
http://www.nascsports.org/
The Native American Sports Council’s mission is to promote athletic excellence and wellness within Native American communities through sports programs which combine traditional Native American values with those of the modern Olympics. They are located in Colorado Springs and organize the Native American Indigenous Games every year.

The Northern & Southern Plains Indian Dancers and Singers
John Emhoolah
Thornton, CO 80260
303-426-8350 or 720-972-4025
American Indian dance and drum performance group, arts & crafts, feather work, bead work, Indian sign language, and cultural lectures.

Peji Tho Wi (Season of the Grass Turning Green)—Drum and Dance Class
Brentwood United Methodist Church
1899 S. Irving
Denver, CO 80204
303-936-2688 or 303-312-6424
www.brentwoodumc.org
Every 1st, 3rd, and 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m., this group meets to learn and practice dancing and singing, and to socialize and share ideas about regalia making in preparation for Peji Tho Wi Initiation. The organization formed to teach Native American youths about their culture and roots.

The Raven Dancers
Bear Limvere
Franktown, CO 80116
303-648-3414
www.ravendancers.org
Native American storytelling, dance, and music for community performances and group events.

Red Feather Woman, Rose Red Elk
Lafayette, CO
303-665-1139
www.redfeatherwoman.com
Lakota and Assiniboine-traditional storyteller and singer.

White Buffalo Council
Ted Roy, President
303-722-4392
The White Buffalo Council organizes Native American events and activities around the Front Range.

Quetzalli Art Gallery
928 W. 8th Ave.
Denver, CO 80204
303-573-0414
www.quetzalli.net
This gallery features indigenous Native American art.

West South West
257 Fillmore St.
Denver, Colorado 80206
303-321-4139
info@westsouthwest.com
http://www.westsouthwest.com/index.asp
West South West is located in Cherry Creek North, Denver's premier art district. Open 7 days a week, the gallery has a reputation for offering one of the best selections of contemporary and traditional fine arts and crafts, Indian jewelry, home accessories and unique gifts made by artists from throughout the West.

Educational Resources

Native American Student Services
218 Lory Student Center
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970-491-1332
http://www.nass.colostate.edu/organizations/index.asp
Native American Student Services at Colorado State University. This site lists the various student organizations for Native Americans at CSU as well as other services that are available to Native American students attending CSU.

University of Colorado-Denver-American Indian and Alaska Native Programs
University of Colorado Denver – AIANP
Attn: AIANP
Mail Stop F800 P.O. Box 6508
Aurora, Colorado 80045
303-724-1414
http://www.uchsc.edu/ai/
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center American Indian and Alaska Native Programs. The mission of the American Indian and Alaska Native Programs (AIANP) is to promote the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives, of all ages, by pursuing research, training, continuing education, technical assistance, and information dissemination within a biopsychosocial framework that recognizes the unique cultural contexts of this special population.

The University of Denver Center for Multicultural Excellence
1981 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208
303-871-2942
cmeinfo@du.edu
http://www.du.edu/cme/studentOrganization/index.html
For more information on the NSA, contact Alicia Chee at alicia.chee@du.edu

Native American Multi-cultural Education School
Director, Lynda Nuttall
303-934-8086, or call 303-934-0028
names_inc@qwest.net
http://names.indigenousnative.org/
The Native American Multi-Cultural Education School, Inc. serves all cultures by teaching Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Diploma (GED), Computer Competencies, Internet, Workplace and Family Literacy. They serve all who have a need to improve their education, effectively increase career opportunities and build their leadership potential on their "walk" in this world of many cultures. The heart of their approach to education and leadership is the Morning Star Medicine Wheel of Learning, a values-based concept. This concept blends the principles of traditional Native American philosophy with adult learning theory to help students learn how to address the complex needs of contemporary society.

Center for Multicultural Affairs at the University of Colorado, Boulder
American Indian Student Services
Leslee Caballero
303-492-2175
http://www.colorado.edu/cu-diversity/cma/amerind.htm
The University of Colorado American Indian student services. Provides various services to American Indian student as well as has other resource information for students.

Univeristy of Colorado- American Indian Law Program
Mailing Address: University of Colorado Law School Wolf Law Building 401 UCB Boulder, CO 80309-0403
Main Telephone Numbers: Law School: 303-492-8047 Law Library: 303-492-7534
http://www.colorado.edu/law/clinics/ilc/
Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Indian Law Clinic

University of Colorado Law School, American Indian Law Program
105T Wolf Law Building 404 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0404
303-735-2194
jill.tompkins@colorado.edu
Colorado Law’s American Indian Law Program provides students with comprehensive opportunities to acquire specialized knowledge of American Indian law, through curriculum, the American Indian Law Clinic, the Certificate Program, National Tribal Court Law Clerks Program, research on federal and tribal Indian law issues, externships, Native American Law Students Association, conferences and events, expert faculty, affiliated organizations, and community outreach. In addition, students enjoy numerous opportunities to assist in scholarship and contribute to the national development of the field of American Indian law. What distinguishes Colorado Law from other law schools is the incorporation of American Indian law principles in the general law school curriculum, including civil procedure, property, and family law.