Cheyenne Ancestors Displaced in 1800s; Now He’s Leading Colorado’s Indigenous Land Back Movement

Rick Williams wants more than just land acknowledgements. These acknowledgements, often heard at events, recognize that the land once belonged to Native tribes before settlers arrived. Williams, an Oglala Lakota citizen with Cheyenne heritage, often performs these acknowledgements but aims to push the concept further. He challenges audiences in Colorado to consider the injustices of the past and asks what actions they will take now. Williams proposes a bold idea for Colorado’s six million residents: help bring Indigenous people back to Colorado, where 48 federally recognized tribes once lived, along with the buffalo, to restore lost heritage. Instead of just acknowledging the land, Williams advocates for returning it.

A Shocking Discovery

Williams understands if people aren’t aware of Co