The Sand Creek Massacre site will be expanded to preserve Native American tribes’ sacred land

CNN —

The announcement of the expansion of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site by more than 3,000 acres is welcome news for the governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

“The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are excited to see the additional 3,478 acres to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site which is providing security for the protection of our Sacred site,” Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Governor Reggie Wassana told CNN in an email.

“Our preservation is critical to learning and educating America about the past,” he said.

The expansion is thanks to a new acquisition announced Wednesday by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

By Virginia Langmaid, CNN

Anthony Spottedwolf, left, his father Patrick Spottedwolf, center, and Chester Whiteman, right, all tribal chiefs and members of the Northern Cheyenne, listen to an opening prayer given by Victor Orange of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes during a gathering at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic site on Wednesday.