COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KXRM) — The community was invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with a sunrise event on the summit of Pikes Peak - America's Mountain on Monday.
The event featured a sunrise blessing led by Tribal Nation Elders, honoring the cultural connections Indigenous peoples have with Pikes Peak.
“We are honored to host this extraordinary experience as we come together to celebrate the heritage and contributions of Indigenous communities,” said Skyler Rorabaugh, manager of Pikes Peak - America’s Mountain. “Pikes Peak is not just a stunning natural landmark, but a sacred site for many Indigenous tribes who have deep connections to this land. This gathering is an opportunity for us to honor their history, culture, and ongoing relationship with the mountain."
At least 48 federally recognized tribes will be in attendance. These include the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Pawnee Nation, the Kiowa Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, and the Comanche Nation.
All the tribes have deep ties to the Colorado landscape and are recognized and honored as the original inhabitants and stewards of the land.
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