1864. The atmosphere of the West was filled with turmoil and uncertainty; Colorado territory was no exception. Tensions ran high. Everyone lusted after land, some to protect it, others to take it. With the civil war raging in the East, territorial governors called volunteer armies together to protect settlers. An atmosphere of greed and glory-seeking flourished and would lead to one of the most brutal massacres in the history of the West.
With the blessing of Governor Evans, Colonel John M. Chivington led his group of soldiers to exterminate a peaceful encampment of Southern Cheyenne and possibly an Arapaho tribe as well. The events of November 29, 1864, along sandy creek would change the West forever. Officers committed brutal acts of mutilation as a handful of survivors fled leaving behind...only...their tears in the sand.
Rocky Mountain PBS brings you one of the most comprehensive documentaries available on the Sand Creek Massacre. Our producer tells you the inside story with the help of Southern Cheyenne tribal members.
Stories about the massacre periodically resurface in western newspapers and many still struggle to find a way to heal the pain of Sand Creek. Recently, a government bill has been passed that re-opens the study of the massacre and its location. It is believed that the current site has been marked incorrectly, and one objective of the study is to identify its original location and prepare a report for decision makers who will decide what to do with the land. Representatives of the Colorado Historical Society, the National Park Service, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Southern Cheyenne Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, and the Southern Arapaho Tribe are involved in the study.
