What do we know about Boulder’s history?
How much do we not know about its present?
What kind of future do we want as a community?
The past is never dead. It’s not even past.
— William Faulkner
It is hard to move toward a solution unless we understand the problem from which it arises.
If I didn’t know about Boulder’s past, what do I not know about what is happening today?
— Kirsten Wilson
Most of us can’t help but notice that the population of Boulder is predominantly white with a decreasing middle class. What does this demographic mean for our community? How did Boulder become so racially homogeneous with an increasing gap between the wealthy and the poor? And how does this question relate to our nation’s and our community’s histories?
The answers are complex, as are most of the patterns of inequality we face, but through Learning Together about our local and national histories, as well as about the current challenges we face as a community, we hope to better understand the context of our problems which, in turn, will provide an insight into solving them.
Many events in the One Action – One Boulder / Niwot’s Arrow project are part of its Learning Together component. Several local history events in the first half of the year focus on the life of Chief Niwot – also known as Chief Lefthand. This Southern Arapahoe Chief is referenced throughout Boulder County in street and park names, and even in consumer products, and yet few of us know the history of this local peace chief. Find out more about the meaning of “Niwot’s Arrow”/”Choices of Dignity”
Chief Niwot, as well as Captain Silas Soule and Major Edward Wynkoop, are some of the inspirational figures in our local history who we don’t know because their stories are wrapped up in the violent history of the Sand Creek massacre. By turning away from this painful local history, we have also turned away from people we should be honoring.
The Learning Together component of OAOB/Niwot’s Arrow will start with historical reflection and move toward an examination of current challenges. This will provide a way for us to both envision the future and to envision the ways we might get there. Through theater, exhibits, panels, films and storytelling, OAOB/Niwot’s Arrow hopes to encourage a wider field of inquiry into who we have been and who we could become to strengthen our community and to support our children.
Join us in making Boulder a model for moving from historic inequalities toward equitable solutions.