Niwot | |
|---|---|
| Left Hand | |
 | |
| Born | c. 1825 Western Great Plains |
| Died | November 29, 1864 Sand Creek, Colorado |
| Cause of death | Killed in the Sand Creek Massacre |
| Nationality | Southern Arapaho |
| Relatives | Neva (brother) Mahom (sister) |
Chief Niwot (Arapaho: Nowoo3 [nɔ'wɔːθ]) or Left Hand(-ed) (c. 1825–1864) was a Southern Arapaho chief, diplomat, and interpreter who negotiated for peace between white settlers and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and Colorado War.
Niwot lived along the Front Range, and wintered near the site of modern-day Boulder, Colorado. A fluent English speaker, Niwot was often relied on as a translator and interpreter in negotiations between tribal leaders and settlers.[1] Niwot was a prominent advocate of peace during the negotiations, and sought to de-escalate growing tension between native groups and settlers.
Niwot was among the chiefs who complied with Colorado Governor John Evans and US Colonel John Chivington to relocate to Fort Lyon, where they were to await a peace agreement.[1] The Arapaho and Cheyenne who went to Fort Lyon were again relocated to Sand Creek. Niwot is generally believed to have died in the subsequent Sand Creek Massacre in 1864.
Many place names in Boulder County pay tribute to Chief Niwot, including Niwot, Colorado, Left Hand Creek, Left Hand Canyon, Niwot Mountain, Niwot High School, Niwot Elementary, Niwot Ridge and the Left Hand Brewing Company. A quote from Chief Niwot is also circulated in Boulder County, and is known as Chief Niwot's Curse.
- ^ a b yongli (2016-03-04). "Niwot (Left Hand)". coloradoencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 2023-01-27.