Sand Creek Update

By Alexa Roberts

May 14, 2004

Things are continuing to move forward with the establishment of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. On the legislative front, a bill recently introduced into Congress by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell will place the land privately owned by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (the former Dawson ranch) into Tribal Trust status. This means that the property will be owned by the United States for the benefit of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma (i.e., as part of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma reservation). In this case, the land is to be used specifically for the purposes outlined in the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2000.

On May 20, Sand Creek Massacre NHS Superintendent Alexa Roberts will attend a hearing on the bill before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Following hearings and action by the House of Representatives, the bill is expected to be signed into law by the end of this Congressional session. After that, the NPS and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes will work out an agreement for how NPS is to manage the property as part of the National Historic Site, and NPS will recommend to the Secretary of Interior that the site be officially established. Then a great deal of planning needs to takes place so we can prepare the site for public visitation. Step by step, the establishment of the National Historic Site is moving forward in a very positive way.

In the meantime, land management preparations continue to develop in partnership among the National Park Service, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, and Kiowa County. Of most immediate concern is developing fire prevention and response plans for the Sand Creek Site. For the second year in a row, NPS was successful in obtaining a Rural Fire Assistance Grant ($11,000) that will allow the Kiowa County Fire Department to purchase portable water tanks and personal protective equipment for firefighters. In addition, NPS obtained a $5000 grant for development of a Mutual Aid Agreement between the NPS and the County. The grant will help reimburse the County for assistance it provides to NPS and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes related to needs at the Sand Creek Massacre site.

While land management activities are ongoing, so are public outreach and public educational programs being conducted by Sand Creek Massacre NHS Ranger Craig Moore. Craig has recently prepared the first public information newsletter which he is in the process of mailing to more than 200 members of the interested public who have requested them. In addition to the newsletter, updated site information bulletins are also being prepared and will be available shortly to place in local businesses and office. Craig has also given nine public presentations around the state so far this year, and is available for presentations to schools, civic groups, or organizations upon request. For more information on newsletter, brochures, public programs or educational opportunities, please call Craig at 71-383-5010 x20, or Alexa Roberts at 438-5916. We love to hear from you!