Boulder County, Colorado, has appointed Karen Wilde as its first Native American-American Indian Relations Manager. The appointment coincides with Native American Heritage Month in November. This new position is intended to strengthen the county’s engagement with Native American, Alaska Native, and Indigenous communities.
The Boulder County Commissioners have proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month. They encourage residents to recognize the culture, history, and contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous peoples. The county notes the diversity of identities among residents, including those who identify as Native American, American Indian, Indigenous, or as citizens of tribal nations. The proclamation also acknowledges that Boulder County and Colorado are located on lands that have long been home to tribes such as the Northern Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, and Eastern Shoshone.
Karen Wilde has experience working with tribal nations. She previously served as Tribal Liaison for the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site with the National Park Service and as Tribal Relations Specialist for the US Forest Service at Mark Twain National Forest. Her work has included collaborating with tribal nations, developing guidance on sacred sites, and leading initiatives to improve Indigenous representation in federal agencies. Wilde is a lifetime member of the Society of American Indian Government Employees and has held several gubernatorial appointments in Colorado…