Proclamation of Indigenous People for Yampa Valley in Steamboat Springs Colorado 11/17/2020

Proclamation of Indigenous Peoples for Yampa Valley

 
We are people living in Yampa Valley and we make this proclamation to recognize the Indigenous Peoples of the Yampa Valley for their contribution to the land, water, plants, animals, and people along the beautiful Yampa River and its surrounding lands.
 
Whereas, the First People’s known to live here are known through their direct descendants as Nuche (pronounced “Nooch” and meaning “the people”) are Colorado’s oldest documented inhabitants and are known today to be part of the Ute Nation and regionally as Yamparika and Yampatika people who were established as an American Indian tribe at the White River Agency and many of whose descendants live on the Ute Reservation in Duschesne, Utah.
 
Whereas, the Ute’s creation story tells the Ute people that in the beginning of time, the Creator placed the Utes in the Rocky Mountains, their ancestral home.   Ute oral tradition holds that they are the only American Indian tribe without a migration story and understand themselves to have been here for at least 10,000 years.
 
Whereas, ancient Native American societies lived and left their mark in the form of stone tools and ceramics throughout the region, burial sites, rock art, sacred and practical landmarks over thousands of years they maintained a pinnacle of environmental stewardship that has not been seen since this was their home.
 
Whereas, historical tribes are represented by historical figures of the Ute Nation known as Chief Colorow born Comache and Chief Jack Nicaagat known to be an Apache orphan.  This also includes the close family ties of Chief Ouray and his wife Chipita to Apache bands.    
 
Whereas, a part of the Arapaho Nation is known to have arrived in the Yampa Valley around Steamboat Springs and vied with the Ute Nation community of Chief Yahomite and ultimately left the area for other parts of Colorado.
 
Whereas, it is recognized that until the Ute Nation community was driven out of the area after the Battle of Milk Creek in 1879 their stewardship cared for a Yampa Valley teeming with herds of American Bison, Colorado Elk, Gray Wolf Packs which subsequently became extinct in the 20th century.
 
Whereas, the evident lived past of the Indigenous Peoples of the Yampa Valley is recognized as a valued and rich source of heritage, education, reflection, and celebration for all guests and members of the Steamboat Springs community we recognize the need to increase our efforts to include this in civic life and events.      
 
Whereas, it is recognized and appreciated that many Native Americans, Xicanas/os and Indigenous peoples of Mexico, Canada, and other parts of the Americas have lived, worked and contributed to the history and contemporary life of the communities of the Yampa Valley.
 
Whereas, it is recognized and appreciated that the continued resilience of Indigenous peoples in Steamboat Springs is due to the efforts of Native American individuals who share, promote, and maintain traditions with our community.
 
Whereas, it is recognized that we the people of Yampa Valley will support contemporary Native American initiatives and activities to promote inclusion, respectful representation, education, and the addressing of social issues affecting Indigenous peoples will be at the forefront of our concern as a community.
Drafted and presented by Dr. Maestas 11/17/2020