Land Acknowledgment

The Arkansas River Valley is the ancestral and traditional lands of indigenous cultures dating as far back as 13,000 years. Now occupied by residents and visitors of Salida, Buena Vista and the surrounding communities, we affirm the long cultural history of those who once called the valley home. Apache, Comanche, Eastern Shoshone as well as several different bands of Utes frequented the Arkansas River Valley. As residents of this valley, we acknowledge the systematic removal from 1849 to 1881 of Uncompahgre, White River and Tabeoguache Utes from central Colorado. We offer acknowledgment of indigenous sovereignty, history and experiences in this region.