A recent report by a Native American-led nonprofit sheds light on the dispossession of $1.7 trillion worth of Indigenous homelands in Colorado by the state and the U.S. The report also highlights the more than $546 million the state has gained from mineral extraction on these lands.
The report identifies 10 tribal nations with aboriginal, congressional, and treaty title to lands in Colorado. It details how the land was taken, often in violation of treaty rights or without proper title for transfer.
The Truth, Restoration, and Education Commission, which compiled the report, emphasizes the blatant nature of the land theft that occurred. The commission, convened by People of the Sacred Land, recommends actions such as honoring treaty rights, compensating affected tribal nations, and restoring hunting and fishing rights.
In a similar vein to Canada's truth and reconciliation efforts, a bill in the U.S. seeks to establish a commission to investigate the long-term effects of the Indian boarding school system. This bill has garnered bipartisan support.
The report also calls for the return of 19,000 acres of land taken from tribal nations by Colorado State University. While the university has committed funds from its land grant holdings, questions remain about the adequacy of this action.
Furthermore, the report highlights disparities faced by Native American students in Colorado, including lower graduation rates and limited education on Native American issues in schools. The Colorado Department of Education has expressed commitment to honoring Indigenous communities but faces challenges in implementing mandatory curriculum changes.
Efforts are underway to increase education on tribal histories, languages, and cultures in Colorado schools, with a focus on creating a more inclusive curriculum that reflects the state's Indigenous heritage.
