Native American Ethnographic Study

Final Report Now Available

The Native American Ethnographic Study final report has been released and is now available for review.

The Historic Preservation Board hosted a Special Study Session on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Golden History Museum, 923 10th St. to learn about this report.

Background

Native Americans have lived in the region that is today known as Golden, Colorado for more than 12,000 years. They possess a rich history and culture, but were forcibly removed through warfare, displacement, disease, and other factors brought on by White settlers. Yet, dozens of tribes maintain this region as part of their historic homelands and Goldenites would love to create an opportunity to foster these links and learn from Indigenous communities what they are willing to share about their land and way of life.

To begin this work, the City of Golden has formed a partnership between its division of Planning and Museums, with the support of the Historic Preservation Board, to engage ethnographic consultants and tribal representatives to create an Ethnographic Study of the Golden region. The City was the recipient of a $25,000 Certified Local Government grant from the State Historical Foundation for the project. The Ethnography Study would fulfill two immediate City goals: 1) help the museum and the City as an organization address a significant deficiency in their historical understanding of the Golden region, and 2) help address key goals within the City's Historic Preservation Plan.

This Ethnography Project is intended to be a first step in nurturing nascent relationships with descendant Native communities. The City hopes to lay the foundation of trusting and collaborative relationships that could be grown over time to include Native participation in preserving and interpreting Native history, developing future educational initiatives, and adding underrepresented voices in the City’s ongoing work to preserve regional heritage.