The lands in Fort Collins were originally home to the Hinono'eiteen (Arapaho), Tsétsėhéstȧhese (Cheyenne), Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche), Caiugu (Kiowa), Čariks i Čariks (Pawnee), Sosonih (Shoshone), Oc'eti S'akowin (Lakota), and Núuchiu (Ute) Peoples. In the 2nd grade, students here in Fort Collins learn about the land before colonization, talking about the history of our community. Within those lessons, they talk about Chief Friday (Warshinun) of the Arapaho Nation. While they faced a lot of hardship in that time due to the increased tension and growing number of settlers in the area, Chief Friday led his people to try and make peace, often meeting under the Council Tree which is the very namesake of our church. If you are not familiar with this story, we invite you to read this short article and watch this 3-½ minute video featuring Hubert Friday, great grandson of William Friday.
It was with a posture of listening to learn that a small group from Council Tree Covenant Church headed to the Wind River Reservation last August to meet and hear from many people and organizations on the reservation where we learned both some history and some modern-day struggles and joys. You can learn more about that trip in this article.
This two-day event is hosted by Council Tree Covenant Church in the spirit of continuing to listen with a posture of learning. We are so grateful to host this gathering in Fort Collins with Native Memory Project, an organization that seeks to preserve the stories and traditions of the past for future generations.
Schedule of Events
Programming for February 3, 2026
3:30 pm: Gather to council at the area of Chief Friday Council Tree
Address: Arapaho Bend Natural Area - 3600 S. County Rd 7, Fort Collins, CO 80528 - Please Carpool if you can.
A call to all hand drum singers to come and honor the earth through song, drum, and dance; singing along with all those in attendance. Host Drum: Eagle Drum
3:45 - 5:30 pm: Sunset Hand Drum Ceremony with “The Story of Mother Earth’s Heart Beat” told by Jason Baldes
All in attendance MUST be in moccasins walking to the site, those without moccasins will be turned away.
Programming for February 4, 2026
6:00 am: Gather to council at the area of Chief Friday Council Tree
Address: Arapaho Bend Natural Area - 3600 S. County Rd 7, Fort Collins, CO 80528 - Please Carpool if you can.
A call to all hand drum singers to come and honor the plants, the animals, and all living creations of mother earth through our brother the bison of the United States of America. An animal that was once almost extinct; singing along with all those in attendance. Host Drum: Eagle Drum
6:15 - 7:45 am: Sunrise Hand Drum Ceremony with sharing by Knowledge Keepers; Ivan Posey, Michael Ridge Bear, and Jason Baldes, with the BuffaloDance presented by Patti Baldes
All in attendance MUST be in moccasins walking to the site, those without moccasins will be turned away.
Noon: Healing Lunch at Council Tree Covenant Church, Fort Collins, Colorado
Lunch Menu - Traditional Dried Meat Soup and Pan Bread
After Lunch sharing by Knowledge Keepers: Ivan Posey and Darrah Goggles
6:00 pm: Dinner
Dinner Menu - Frybread Taco
After Dinner sharing by Knowledge Keepers: Ivan Posey and Darrah Goggles
Closing Ceremony: Flute Song - A Blessing by Michael Ridge Bear.
A Note About Moccasins
All in attendance at the Sunset and Sunrise Ceremonies MUST be in moccasins walking to the site, those without moccasins will be turned away. Native friends, please wear traditional dress if you can.
Native cultures knew the Earth wasn’t just something you walked on—it was part of you. They didn’t wear synthetic shoes. They didn’t rely on arch support. They trusted the feedback from their soles, the strength of their muscles, and the power of their connection to mother Earth.
Moccasins need to be made out of animal. We want to be able to ground ourselves to the earth, so leather only - no rubber soles. Hand-made is preferable. We have been encouraged to shop thrift stores and pawn shops for indigenous made options or to borrow from a Native American friend. Some have had luck on eBay or Etsy.
Should you wish to purchase moccasins, here are some ideas to help you on your search.
Women’s
https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/women/styles/moccasins/kilty-softsole-women
Men’s
https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/men/styles/moccasins/double-deerskin-softsole-men
https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/men/styles/moccasins/leather-laced-softsole
Make our Own
