Mount Blue Sky
Who created this message?
Sarah Ortegon, a member of the Arapaho Tribe, painted this mural. It is placed outside of the Patagonia store in the popular RiNo district of downtown Denver in Colorado. She painted the mural to show her support for the renaming of Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky, a name suggested by and honoring both the Southern Cheyanne and Arapaho people. The mountain is currently named after the second territorial governor of Colorado who played a major role in the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 in which hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed.
What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?
The mural is very powerful in its simplicity. Your attention is drawn to it because of the crossing out of the name “Evans” with “Blue Sky” written underneath. Also, the prominent title of “Record Book of Sand Creek” with the handwritten “Council of 44” and names listed ending with “Men, Women, Children” is a powerful statement. Finally, the sweeping vista is typical of pictures of Colorado with Mt. Evans looming in the background, but your eyes are drawn to the foreground where the artist shows the remains of the village after the massacre occurred.
What viewpoints or world views are included or left out of this message?
The mural depicts the views of a tribal member of her tribal history. It speaks to the importance of renaming monuments to reflect the cultural experience of all people and not just the dominant class and allowing people to share their own cultural experiences in their own voices.
How might different people interpret this message differently than me?
Renaming monuments and landmarks is currently a hot topic and debated by many. A news story about the mural stated, “History is not something Ortegon is looking to rewrite, but rather correct.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bioQRVOlyqQ) As the quote reflects, many feel that renaming is rewriting history instead of looking at it as a means of reconciliation for wrongs committed in the past.
Why is this message being sent?The artist painted this mural expressing her support and raising awareness of the issue of renaming a prominent 14er which is clearly visible from the Front Range of Colorado. Ortegon speaks to the renaming as being a point of empowerment rather than the reminder of oppression that the current name holds.