(Wind River Reservation, WY) – The Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Longmont Sister Cities Association of Longmont, Colorado, formalized the formation of the first sister cities relationship between a sovereign Tribal Nation and a U.S. city on Saturday.
“This is a historic event for the City of Longmont and the Northern Arapaho,” Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley said. “A sister cities relationship creates the opportunity to embrace the sister cities ideal of promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time.”
The formal signing ceremony happened on Saturday, September 18th, at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center making the Northern Arapaho Tribe Longmont’s third sister city.
“The Northern Arapaho Tribe is proud to begin this first-of-its-kind ‘sister cities’ relationship with the City of Longmont,” said Jordan Dresser, Northern Arapaho Business Council (NABC) Chairman. “We look forward to a productive exchange of ideas and experiences that will benefit all of our people, whether they live along the Front Range of Colorado or across our beautiful Wind River Reservation.”
Although this agreement is the first-ever with a sovereign Tribal Nation, the City of Longmont is no stranger to these kinds of alliances. In 2020, Longmont celebrated a 30-year sister cities relationship with Chino, Japan, and next year the City will celebrate a 25-year partnership with Ciudad Guzman, Mexico.
“This agreement represents a momentous opportunity for the Northern Arapaho people,” said Lee Spoonhunter, NABC Co-Chairman. “These kinds of relationships help promote a culture of understanding, inclusivity and mutual respect that benefits Tribal and non-Tribal communities alike. The Northern Arapaho Tribe is proud to be sister cities with Longmont, a relationship that we’re optimistic will lead to productive cultural exchange and economic growth for years to come.”
Mayor Bagley was joined by Co-Chairman Spoonhunter on Saturday to sign the agreement.
“Longmont values and promotes cultural understanding and inclusion. In fact, our diversity is a community asset,” Mayor Bagley said. “The Longmont Sister Cities Association (LSCA) helps us cultivate stronger connections that bridge relationships between community members and diverse cultures. LSCA has a tremendous history of successful community partnerships that welcome Japanese and Mexican students and chaperones every year. Longmont students experience the same hospitality when they travel to Chino and Ciudad Guzman. With the addition of the Northern Arapaho to LSCA, we expect the same success.”
Watch more of the signing ceremony on the Longmont Sister Cities Association Facebook page. Learn more about the association here.