Did Colorado Get Its Indian Boarding School Report All Wrong?

Earlier this month, History Colorado released a major report documenting the history of Indigenous “boarding schools” across our state, including one in Denver, between 1880 and 1920. The media covered the report as a landmark step forward from a tragic chapter in our state’s history, and some have called on Governor Jared Polis to make a formal apology on behalf of the state. But while our elected officials are celebrating the report as a positive step toward healing and reconciliation, many Indigenous people are not. So today, host Bree Davies speaks with the co-chairs of the Denver American Indian Commission — stand-up comedian Joshua Emerson and past guest Raven Payment — about what this report means to Denver’s Indigenous community.

Bree mentioned History Colorado’s recent history of rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities. We recommend Westword’s reporting around the new Sand Creek Massacre exhibit to learn more. 

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• “Amoako Boafo: Soul of Black Folks” at the Denver Art Museum

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