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Oct 20
Love2

New Program: Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors (SOLO) Field Trips

By News

The PHA’s new “Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors” (SOLO) field trips provide students with the opportunity for a self-guided learning adventure within the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Local educators have developed active, engaging curriculum routes in Greeley and Fort Collins, providing students with a safe, educational experience by biking or walking routes on the Poudre Trail while answering place-based learning questions related to the Poudre River. Plus, the route curriculums align with Colorado academic standards. Current routes include:

We believe that the Cache la Poudre River is an engaging and inspirational learning environment. Together, we can continue to build our next generation of river stewards, even during a pandemic!

Calling all educators! Interested in learning more about SOLO field trips for your classes? Follow the link below or email Linden at programs@poudreheritage.org.

Oct 12
Love3

Lifting Voices from the Shadows on Indigenous Peoples Day

By News, Video

Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! Join us today, and every day, in honoring the Native American tribes that occupied the lower Cache la Poudre valley in northern Colorado for thousands of years before Euroamerican settlers arrived in the area. These tribes included the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Ute, and Arapaho tribes. At the National Heritage Area, we seek to preserve and share the many different cultures that make the Cache la Poudre River valley so unique. Part of this work involves preserving historic knowledge, oral traditions, and language and honoring the ancestral connections these groups have to the land.

The “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project is one such opportunity to preserve and share Native American history. In particular, an opportunity for Northern Arapaho women, like Florita Soldier Wolf featured in this video, to tell about their personal experiences with voting, both past and present. The project is funded by a “Women in Parks Innovation and Impact” grant from the National Park Foundation.

“I think it was a good thing that we voted ‘cuz we were counted too in our voting. So, that’s what I know about voting.” – Florita Soldier Wolf, Northern Arapaho

Learn more about the Poudre Heritage Alliance and the “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project at: https://poudreheritage.org/lifting-voices/ 

Sep 21
Love0

Virtual Poudre Pour Happy Hour – Sept. 25

By News

The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA) is hosting a virtual Poudre Pour Happy Hour – an educational celebration of the Cache la Poudre River – on Friday, September 25, 2020 from 4:00-6:00PM. The event will feature live stream music from Blues musician Grace Kuch, “Meet the Brewer” breakout rooms hosted by Horse & Dragon, Purpose Brewing, Timnath Beerwerks and Odell Brewing Co., infused appetizers to-go from Z Catering, a silent auction supporting PHA programs, guest speakers, giveaways, and more! Event information and FREE tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-poudre-pour-happy-hour-tickets-117676819535

Water from the Poudre River has nourished our region for centuries. Today, the Poudre and other rivers in the West are under exceptional stress due to growing populations, drought, and other demands on our water supplies. The Poudre Heritage Alliance raises awareness about water issues and connects people to their water heritage through a variety of year-round programs and events such as the Poudre Pour.

“We care deeply about the Poudre River. I grew up playing in and on it, and only in adulthood came to realize how much we and downstream neighbors rely on its abundance and health,” Said Carol Cochran, owner of Horse & Dragon Brewing Company. “For our product, delicious craft beer, a healthy watershed is vital.  For all of us in our community, this beautiful river is at the root of what drew us here and is the thread that connects us all.”

All proceeds from the virtual happy hour event will benefit the Poudre Heritage Alliance, the 501(c)3 managing nonprofit of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. The Poudre Heritage Alliance works to PROMOTE a variety of historical and cultural opportunities, ENGAGE people in their river corridor and INSPIRE learning, preservation, and stewardship. To view the silent auction and place your bids visit: https://www.32auctions.com/poudrehappyhour2020 

The PHA’s 3rd Annual Poudre Pour was scheduled for March 28, 2020 but, due to COVID-19, had to be cancelled. The PHA staff and board hope to continue the momentum around the in-person Poudre Pour event with this virtual happy hour, bringing together community members from around Northern Colorado to celebrate our shared Poudre River heritage. The next in-person Poudre Pour is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Boardwalk Park in Windsor, CO.

Sep 10
Love0

Celebrate Success: National Heritage Area’s 2019 Impact Numbers

By News
Photo: The Cumbres & Toltec zooms along the tracks in the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in southern Colorado, one of 55 National Heritage Areas in the United States.

 

From the National Park Service – National Heritage Area’s blog:

National Heritage Areas are a grassroots, community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Through public-private partnerships, NHA entities support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects.

Check-out the NHA 2019 impact numbers:

In 2019, NHAs:

  • Leveraged $84.5 million in cash and in-kind support to carry out heritage projects and programs, greatly increasing the impact of the $19.3 million in federal Heritage Partnership Program funding received.
  • Engaged 2,674 formal partners and 5,286 informal partners in heritage area activities.
  • Benefited from 36,289 volunteers contributing over 475,511 hours for heritage area projects – a $12.3 million-dollar value.

Preserving our Heritage. Across the country, National Heritage Areas and their partners are reviving historic downtowns, preserving battlefields and industrial sites, and sharing our nation’s history through the arts. In 2019:

  • 214 historic sites and 13,840 acres of cultural landscapes preserved and maintained, including battlefields. •
  • 104 community development projects were carried-out, including streetscape improvement and art projects. •
  • 55 collections projects undertaken, including the conservation of artifacts and creation of oral histories.
  • 82 historic preservation grants awarded totaling $904,294.

Recreation and Conservation. Through recreational projects such as land and water trails, National Heritage Areas are improving connectivity and accessibility, creating more vibrant and healthy communities. In 2019:

  • 154 recreation projects undertaken.
  • 567 miles of trails maintained and 95 new miles of trails developed.
  • 72 recreation grants awarded totaling $1.2 million.

Conservation activities led by National Heritage Area entities and their partners improve air and water quality and support healthy ecosystems. In 2019:

  • 12,858 acres of land restored and maintained via invasive species removal, replanting and toxic site clean-ups.
  • 54 conservation grants awarded totaling $601,078.

Educating Current and Future Leaders. Through programs such as Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area’s National History Academy. National Heritage Areas and their partners are providing meaningful and inspirational connections to our nation’s heritage and exploring the qualities and skills of leadership. In 2019:

  • Capacity-building assistance provided to 1,162 organizations.
  • 302 educational programs were offered.
  • 2,700 grants to support educational programs were awarded totaling $2.1 million.

To learn more about National Heritage Areas please visit: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/heritageareas/index.htm

Sep 02
Love0

Intern Spotlight: Bekah Schields

By News

We are excited to welcome Rebekah “Bekah” Schields to our staff as a Programs Intern! Bekah comes to us through the Stewards Program run by Conservation Legacy, which “provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources.”  Bekah will be working on several programs and projects with PHA, including the Heritage Culturalist Volunteers program, Water Legacy oral history project and the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area Strategic Interpretive Plan.

Bekah is passionate about bringing history to the public in a variety of ways. She has worked in heritage and archaeology education for the past five years. She recently graduated from Colorado State University with an M.A. in History and she also holds a B.S. in Anthropology from Montana State University. When she is not researching or reading, Bekah can be found enjoying a local beer, playing board games, or working on an embroidery project.

Aug 27
Love1

“Lifting Voices from the Shadows” – Fay Soldier Wolf interview

By News, Video

The “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project is an opportunity for Northern Arapaho women, like Fay Soldier Wolf featured in this video, to share their personal experiences with voting, both past and present.

The project is funded by a “Women in Parks Innovation and Impact” grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). The goal of the grant “is to support projects and programs that help the NPS share a more comprehensive American narrative that includes the voices of women.” In particular, the initiative is meant to raise awareness of the 19th Amendment’s centennial this year and to “highlight stories of women who continue to shape the world.” However, Indigenous women did not gain the right to vote in 1920. It was not until the Snyder Act passed in 1924 that Indigenous Americans earned their full U.S. citizenship, though some states continued to deny Indigenous Americans their enfranchisement as late as 1962.

Learn more about the Poudre Heritage Alliance and the “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project at: https://poudreheritage.org/lifting-voices/ 
Aug 18
Love0

Press Release: To Commemorate the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, Poudre Heritage Alliance Receives Women in Parks Grant from the National Park Foundation

By News

NEWS RELEASE

August 18, 2020

For immediate release; for more information, contact:

 

Megan Maiolo-Heath, Communications Coordinator

Poudre Heritage Alliance

970.295.4851

communications@poudreheritage.org

 

 To Commemorate the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, Poudre Heritage Alliance Receives Women in Parks Grant from the National Park Foundation

 

[Fort Collins, CO] (August 18, 2020) – To commemorate the centennial of the 19th amendment, which prohibited states from denying the vote on the basis of sex, and recognize centuries of under recognized sacrifices and contributions to the U.S. made by women, including Black women, Indigenous women and all women of color, the National Park Foundation (NPF) announced more than 20 inaugural grants through its Women in Parks initiative. These grants will fund projects highlighting women’s stories at national parks across the country, including “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” oral history project with women from the Northern Arapaho Tribe. You can view a complete list of NPF-funded projects here.

 

The Poudre Heritage Alliance’s “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project is recording oral histories from Northern Arapaho women to create online content like short educational videos and future programming like guided walks, talks and special events. This includes a recent webinar that acknowledges what citizenship means for Indigenous women who were not among the women granted the right to vote through the 19th Amendment and how that still resonates today.

 

“We have women here who are willing to share their stories, share their information, share their experiences and their perspectives,” said Yufna Soldier Wolf, Northern Arapaho tribal historian and partner on the Lifting Voices project. “I don’t think this has ever done before for any of the women on the reservation.”

 

New research released by NPF shows a gap in understanding women in U.S. history still exists. This new study found that 64 percent of the American public wish they knew more about women in U.S. history.

 

Communities across the country are interested in closing this gap, as 62 percent of those surveyed think it is extremely or very important for people to learn about women in U.S. history. Seventy-four percent indicated that it is extremely or very important that national parks connect people to history.

 

“The National Park Service offers unique opportunities to learn about women’s important contributions and how even their silent and diverse everyday lives formed the foundations of America,” said National Park Service Chief Historian Dr. Turkiya Lowe. “Parks are spaces to ask complex questions about the history of the United States, including, ‘Did all women obtain full voting rights after the passage of the 19th amendment?’ ‘And, if not, which women and where?’”

 

The Women in Parks grants support a range of projects that will highlight the contributions women have made to our country and the role they continue to play in our ever-evolving narrative.

 

“Every park has a connection to women that can inspire current and future generations,” said NPF President and CEO Will Shafroth. “The National Park Foundation and our donors, who played a key role in inspiring the launch of our Women in Parks initiative last year, are thrilled to make stories about women’s contributions to our country, past and present, accessible to all people through parks and online.”

 

NPF’s Women in Parks initiative is inspired by the National Park Service’s commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the bipartisan Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission (S.847). Launched in June 2019, Women in Parks is part of the NPF’s ongoing efforts to help expand the stories and perspectives shared through national parks. The initiative will continue throughout 2020 and beyond.

 

“The centennial of the 19th Amendment is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen knowledge, research and outreach efforts related to the impact of women in all aspects of U.S. history,” said Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the National Park Service Director. “This partnership will enable national parks to tell a more complete and compelling story of the history of our nation.”

 

From local philanthropic organizations and friends groups, to community-based organizations, national park and program partners are key collaborators in preserving women’s history and making it accessible to all people. In addition, just like the parks themselves, every partner group has a connection to women.

 

Individuals, foundations, and companies can support the National Park Foundation’s efforts to ensure that women’s history in the United States is shared, preserved, and leveraged to inspire current and future generations by visiting the NPF website.

 

ABOUT THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA AND THE POUDRE HERITAGE ALLIANCE

 

The Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), a 45-mile stretch of the Lower Poudre River, tells the story of the river where Western Water Law took shape and how the river still informs the use of water throughout the arid West today.  CALA’s 501(c)3 nonprofit managing entity – the Poudre Heritage Alliance – PROMOTES a variety of historical and cultural opportunities; ENGAGES people in their river corridor; and INSPIRES learning, preservation, and stewardship. Find out more at:  https://poudreheritage.org/

 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts and connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

 

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Aug 17
Love0

Poudre RiverFest Going Virtual – Aug 24-29, 2020

By News

Join us for the VIRTUAL Poudre RiverFest!

You’re invited to virtually experience and celebrate the Cache la Poudre River during the Poudre RiverFest starting Monday, August 24th thru Saturday, August 29th. This six-day event will feature a variety of programming including Family Fun activities, Lunch and Learn sessions, Explore the Poudre River content and streamed Live Entertainment every day.

Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. The festival features hands-on activities for children and adults to explore the role of the river as an important habitat for wildlife, a lively recreation area, and a source for clean drinking water.

Visit our virtual programming to create your own customized Poudre RiverFest calendar.

Proceeds from the Poudre RiverFest go to support restoration projects on the Cache la Poudre River. Join us in our restoration mission by donating today!

 

Festival organizers include:

Aug 03
Love0

Happy National Women’s Suffrage Month!

By News

Photo: Yufna Soldier Wolf, member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and tribal historian, is partnering with the Poudre Heritage Alliance to help collect oral histories from Northern Arapaho women.

Happy National Women’s Suffrage Month! August 2020 marks 100 years since the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. However, not all women received the right to vote in 1920. It was not until the Snyder Act passed in 1924 that Indigenous women earned their full U.S. citizenship, though some states continued to deny Indigenous Americans their enfranchisement as late as 1962.

Click here to see the full calendar of events from the Women’s Vote Centennial.

The Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA), nonprofit managing entity of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), is currently collaborating with Colorado State University’s Native American Cultural Center, the National Heritage Areas Program, and the Northern Arapaho tribe to compile stories from Northern Arapaho women.

The Northern Arapaho lived in the Cache la Poudre River basin for centuries before the United States military forcibly removed the tribe to Wyoming in the 1870s. It is vital that Northern Colorado communities learn the stories of the people whose historic and spiritual homeland is the Cache la Poudre River. Doing so can help people properly understand the complicated history and ecology of the region.

The involved organizations hope that the “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” project will strengthen partnerships, build the PHA’s education and interpretation program, and connect people to their collective Poudre River heritage.

Other resources:

Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Zitkala-Ša): Advocate for the “Indian Vote” by Cathleen D. Cahill

Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin – Profile by the National Park Service

From Parlors to Polling Places: Women’s Suffrage in Fort Collins – Research report and virtual walking tour from the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Office

Jul 16
Love0

Upcoming Webinar: After 100 Years Native Women Still Face Barriers Voting as First Americans

By News

This year many will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote with the 19th Amendment. Passed by Congress in August of 1920, this amendment ended nearly 100 years of protest by guaranteeing women the right to vote. However, it did not grant all women the right to vote. Women of color, and specifically Native American women, were excluded from the protections of the 19th Amendment. Barriers to this right continue even to this day. In this panel, featuring all Native American women, we will be discussing how Native peoples were denied the right to citizenship and voting rights, and how the legacies of these injustices are still impacting Native communities today.

To register please visit: https://bit.ly/liftingvoiceszoom1

This webinar is part of the “Lifting Voices from the Shadows” oral history project, funded by the National Park Foundation and in partnership with the Native American Cultural Center at Colorado State University, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, and the National Heritage Areas Program.

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