The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming and the Longmont Sister Cities Association are proud to announce the formation of the first sister cities relationship between a sovereign tribal nation and a U.S. city.

“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.”

A celebration and formal signing ceremony is scheduled on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, 400 Quail Road at 3 pm.

“The Northern Arapaho Tribe is proud to begin this first-of-its-kind ‘sister cities’ relationship with the City of Longmont,” said Chairman Jordan Dresser of the Northern Arapaho Business Council. “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. The Northern Arapaho will become Longmont’s third sister city.

“This agreement represents a momentous opportunity for the Northern Arapaho people,” said Northern Arapaho Business Council Co-Chairman Lee Spoonhunter. “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 will be joined by Northern Arapaho Chairman Jordan Dresser to formally sign the agreement. They will be surrounded by youth from Longmont and Wyoming. Several notable elected officials have been invited to the event including U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the nation’s first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Other invitees include Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Colorado Congressman Ken Buck, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

The signing ceremony will be followed by a gift exchange, a performance by the Longmont High School drumline, the Eagle Drum Circle, and Arapaho Dancers. The event will conclude with a formal dinner in the museum atrium.

“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.”

About Longmont, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado, is a 29-square-mile city with more than 300 days of sunshine and a spectacular vista of the Rocky Mountains. With a population of nearly 100,000, Longmont sits at an elevation of 4,979 feet above sea level. With more than 1,800 acres of parks and open space, a robust craft beverage scene, thriving art culture, fresh dining opportunities, and a Main Street teeming with new energy, Longmont is perfect for everyone from young families to those young at heart. Longmont is also home to several high-tech companies and a nationally recognized school district. Longmont is located in Boulder County conveniently situated 37 miles from Denver, 16 miles from Boulder and 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park.