Left Hand the First

  • Born: c. 1820s
  • Birthplace: Unknown
  • Died: November 29, 1864
  • Place of death: Sand Creek, Colorado

Category: Southern Arapaho leader

Affiliation: Southern Arapaho

Significance: The first Left Hand (Niwot) was a leading peace chief during the nineteenth century

There were two Left Hands of considerable renown in Southern Arapaho history, a fact which, despite them being unrelated, has led to some confusion in the historical record. The first Left Hand ( also known as Niwot) learned English from his sister’s husband. He became an important translator and leader for the Arapaho in its dealings with White settlers. He worked with Little Raven, the principal chief of the Southern Arapaho at the time, attempting to keep peace as White Americans moved into the Plains. He was killed in the 1864 Sand Creek massacre.

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Bibliography

Coel, Margaret. “Niwot (Left Hand).” Colorado Encyclopedia, coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/niwot-left-hand. Accessed 24 May 2023

“Sand Creek Massacre.” History, 24 Nov. 2020, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sand-creek-massacre. Accessed 24 May 2023.