Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho

by Margaret Coel

This is the first biography of Chief Left Hand, diplomat, linguist, and legendary of the Plains Indians. Working from government reports, manuscripts, and the diaries and letters of those persons—both white and Indian—who knew him, Margaret Coel has developed an unusually readable, interesting, and closely documented account of his life and the life of his tribe during the fateful years of the mid-1800s. It was in these years that thousands of gold-seekers on their way to California and Oregon burst across the plains, first to traverse the territory consigned to the Indians and then, with the discovery of gold in 1858 on Little Dry Creek (formerly the site of the Southern Arapaho winter campground  and presently Denver, Colorado), to settle. Chief Left Hand was one of the first of his people to acknowledge the inevitability of the white man’s presence on the plain, and thereafter to espouse a policy of adamant peacefulness —if not, finally, friendship—toward the newcomers. Chief Left Hand is not only a consuming story—popular history at its best—but an important work of original scholarship. In it the

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, Biography, Indigenous, Mystery

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Margaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed novels featuring Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden, as well as several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is considered an expert on the Arapaho Indians.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years I have read many accounts of the Sand Creek Massacre. These have been accounts from the standpoint of the Southern Cheyenne and from whites who participated in the events. This is the first account that I have seen from the standpoint of the Southern Arapaho. This account is different from most that I have read in that it is a biography of Left Hand. It delves in depth into the politics and greed that made the massacre possible. It primarily tells the story of the peace chiefs, Left Hand (Niwot) in particular, who tried to broker a peaceful existence with those who had usurped their lands. It is not a preachy 'noble native' book. It is straight up and factual.

I picked my copy of this book up at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. On the drive in I was appalled to find out that it was located near the town of Chivington. It would be like renaming My Lai "Calley-ville". Although I read the reasons why the name has not been changed, they fall flat.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the politics of greed and power that drove some of the events in the settlement of the west. It is also key for anyone studying the Southern Arapaho tribe.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this history of Colorado from a Native American perspective very fascinating.

It greatly saddened me to read about how the Southern Arapahoe who wanted nothing more to live peacefully upon the lands that were theirs by treaty, were disenfranchised and then massacred in spite of the persistent efforts at diplomatic solutions by Chief Niwot (Lefthand).

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terribly sad book, especially if you live in the setting. Coel is a prolific writer of Western fiction, and her research for this piece of nonfiction is formidable.This is an important book as many indigenous people try to reacquire land from which they were forcibly removed.

[Kylie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thoroughly researched, well-organized, and well-written. Oftentimes purely historical non fiction books can be dry, and while it may have been partly due to my personal connection/background knowledge on the subject matter, I finished this book in about 3 days. For the most part, it did not sugar coat on either side and gave such a full picture of the context and events of the Sand Creek Massacre. Since there doesn't seem to be an extensive amount of sources about Left Hand himself, there were some sections of speculation about specifics for him to make it biographical, but that couldn't be avoided. There were also a couple of minor things where I have heard different conclusions (specifically what happened to Bent's Old Fort, who was responsible for Hungate murders, and number dead at Sand Creek) and I wished she had addressed the role of the bison robe trade as well, but these are minor things in an overall fantastic book.

[Bambi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating look at the history of Colorado in the years before statehood. It's a biography of the Southern Arapaho Chief Left Hand, who learned to speak English at a young age, and believed in living peacefully with the white settlers.

Anyone who lives in Colorado will appreciate this book for the descriptions of life during this time, the growing city of Denver, and the types of people who founded Colorado. The story of settlement is told from the perspective of the Southern Arapaho tribe and touches on many of the key events and broken treaties that led to the Indian Wars in the West.

This book was wonderful and I have only subtracted a star because the author repeated herself in a couple of areas, which seemed to defy the editing process. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Native American history, or history of the American West.

[Avis Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book!! For those of you who enjoy reading Non-fiction books, this is a Great read!
Left Hand (Niwot) was a man of peace, spoke English fluently, was respected by frontier settlers and came to know the white man's way early on in life. Once you start reading this very informative book, it's hard to put down. You learn so much about this time in History between the Native Americans and the politics, politicians and the trials & tribulations that went on during this time in history.
Left Hand realized from early contacts that the whites had come to stay. He was avoided or ignored by villains intent on extermination of the Indian people & culture.
It's a chilling and gripping story by an award-winning author!

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read regarding the plight of the native Americans of the great plains. Coel's book is more then the biography of a fascinating and often overlooked individual. It traces the influx of whites into Colorado, the efforts of chiefs, such a Niwots (Left Hand) to forge compromise, ultimately culminating in the horrific massacre at Sand Creek and it's repercussions. Coel manages to be both thorough, engaging, and largely without bias. All aspects of a well written historic study. Recommended for anyone interested in the Plains Indians, the Plains Wars, or Colorado history specifically.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MC delivered an engaging history of the Arapahos and Colorado Territory. She defines the cunning, self-serving aggression led by Gov Evans and the unanswered press for Peace by Chief Left Hand. This book tells the shameful story of European American conquests in America. Chief Left Hand and the tribes of the Plains Indians were cruelly deceived for the want of westward expansion and profit. I am ashamed of these European Americans and must try today to block similar self-serving aggression against minorities in the USA.

[Tom Myer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book. Margaret Coel was the first to prove that Evans knew what chivington was going to do at sandy creek. That it took the 1980s for someone to look at his papers just underscores everything about who was writing history of the west.

There are scenes and events that will sear your soul. The massacre itself will ruin you. Children stomped under horses. Soldiers cutting off fingers, noses, ears, and genitals of the old men and women. The Indian dogs looking for their masters after the bloodshed. It enrages me.

[Eliza Eastland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think there’s a lot of value to this book, despite its many flaws. We read this in my Ib English class and I think it’s a very biased telling of this piece if history but it’s also a very important thing to learn about. It doesn’t have a lot of person and detailed accounts of the natives, mostly the white people who lived in Colorado at the time but that could be attributed to lack of resources.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to learn about the plains Native Americans particularly the Northern and Southern Arapahoe and Cheyenne during the western expansion of the U.S., why there are no Native American reservations in Colorado and their willingness for peace with white people no matter what was given up. Also, how the background of the Civil War detracted from the great needs happening on the plains vs war in a majority of the U.S. at that time. Sad at times. Oh, yes, if you do not know anything about the Sand Creek massacre, you will learn about the event.

It is a difficult emotional read as you learn how over and over again treaties were disregarded, land was stolen outright with the Federal Government allowing land tracts despite treaties signed and how the Native Americans were disregarded or out right throw away people. Disturbing. You will want to see Justice through reparations once read.

[Emily Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very interesting because it references locations and names I know of in Colorado but never knew the meaning behind. For a non fiction book it was very straight forward which I appreciated though I did get lost in the many names and events that were referenced.

[Benjamin G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great history, purportedly about a pacifist Arapaho chief, but actually giving a surprisingly broader story about Colorado history and of the Southwest in general and the tragic interactions between the Plains Indians and white settlers. I learned a lot from this book.

[Teresa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author presents a well documented history of a man caught between two very different worlds.
This shameful chapter of US history cannot be "white-washed". As you can see, my book choices are likely on the radical right's woke list.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad and insightful history of Chief Left Hand, the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and Colorado.

[Marcia Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and important book. Having grown up in Boulder I was intrigued by the events. I wasn’t shocked as I expected corruption and greed.

[Colin Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellently written and researched piece of American history that casts aside the ridiculous and patriotic teachings of westward expansion we received in grade school by revealing the cruelty and deception that resulted in an unnecessary war between white settlers and native tribes.

[Jason McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chief Left Hand is an essential read for anyone interested in Colorado history. Being from Missouri, I’m not very familiar with the state's history, even though I live here. I grew up in the Gateway to the West, but obviously don’t know near as much about Western history as I thought. Chief Left Hand is the biography of the man who tried to bring peace to his people and the white settlers during the 1860's.

It illuminates the people behind many of the area’s namesakes, including Niwot, Left Hand Canyon, Mount Evans, and certain Denver streets, such as Evans, Curtis, Wynkoop, and more. It illustrates how the cities of Denver and Boulder came to be settled in the years running up to the Sand Creek Massacre, where Chief Left Hand allegedly perished.

Until I read this, I was unaware how much the Sand Creek Massacre itself has been depicted and/or referenced in film, television, novels, and music. Margaret Coel even posits that if Sand Creek hadn’t occurred, the 25 years of warfare between settlers and natives (considered to be the longest war in U.S. history) might not have even happened.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely well written historical account of the life of Chief Left Hand, one of the most famous Indians of the plains. Margaret Coel traces the Southern Arapahos migration to the plains the last half of the 1700s. Chief Left Hand tried for his entire life to live in peace with the white man. He spoke English and used that skill to continually mediate with the whites, always with eventual peace in mind. The book culminates on the bloody Sand Creek Massacre, a horrifying battle that was instigated by Covington, seeking to become Brig. Gen. and Evans who wanted to become rich and become the first governor. Unfortunately neither ever admitted any wrongdoing. Another case of lying to Indian peoples for personal gain. A sad note in the history of the Plains tribes. The book was very well researched. An excellent read (reads like a novel).

[Joseph Jupille · Rating 5 out of 5]

My knowledge of Native American history is woefully inadequate, so I don't have much background for this book. It is highly accessible -- really nicely researched and noted and easily readable.

It's a devastating story, told as a biography of Chief Left Hand of the Southern Arapaho tribe (for whom the town of Niwot, CO is named), culminating in the horrors of the Sand Creek massacre. Years of efforts by Left Hand at promoting peaceful coexistence between whites and Indians were repeatedly dashed by the incomprehension, misunderstanding, ethnocentrism, greed, and straight-out savagery. It's really depressing, but as one who lives in an area that Left Hand must have at least passed-through, I'd call it essential reading, with broad implications for understanding American history. Highly recommended.

[Doris Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story about Chief Left Hand and all the Colorado characters who lived during that time to be very interesting and relevant. We have heard about the Sand Creek Massacre, but I didn't know the story about how it came to be. It was years in the making and was influenced by racism and greed. It was interesting to learn the story of Evans and his role in the mistreatment of the Native Americans. It's no wonder the name for Mt. Evans is being changed. The majority of blame goes to Chivington and his lack of humanity towards the peaceful Indians. Chief Left Hand spoke English and tried to do what the government representatives told him to do, but it was futile in the end. It's interesting to read about domestic life for the Arapahoe people. I struggled somewhat with how the details of the progress toward the battle were written. Perhaps a timeline would have helped.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of the relations between Colorado pioneers and the Arapahoe, Cheyenne and other Native tribes in the region. The story finds a level of detail that shows how multifaceted these relationships were. Reading this has given me better understanding of how some of the injustices and massacres came about during those years before statehood, but also gave some indications of how things could have gone in a different direction. While a shift in the native way of life was probably inevitable, treaties could have been drawn up more fairly, Colorado leaders could have avoided instigating war with the tribes, and the massacre of peaceful gatherings could have been avoided.

[Giselle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the well researched and written account of Chief Left Hand of the Arapaho Indians in the 1800’s. It not only covered Left Hand but many of the Plains tribes and their chiefs and leaders during the trying times of trying to live their lives with all the whites traversing the plains on the way to the gold fields and beyond.
It’s a heartbreaking read but I’m so glad I read it. I grew up knowing most of these locations and it made it easy to picture the Indians in their camps and lodging.
As a nation, the Native Americans were horribly mistreated by whites and it makes me very sad but moving forward we need to make sure that this time is never forgotten.
Read it…..

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made it about a third of the way, then gave up. Just too dry, boring, and sad. The unrelenting flood of white people, the lack of options for the Arapahoes, the disregard of all the whites for the situation they were forcing on the native Americans: all this was really depressing. Not enough about Chief Left Hand himself, either. I think I unconsciously decided to quit reading after all the women were raped (including his mother, wife, and daughter) and no punishment meted out to the white men responsible. Ghastly.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Coel, a local author, did extensive research into Chief Niwot and the detailed circumstances leading up to the END. We all know how it ended for the Cheyenne and Arapahoe, but the road to their demise as in-tact cultural entities has never been so well-lit. I read this book because it was chosen by "One Boulder Reads," so there were many opportunities for discussion and lots of book events. Well Done, but I've got to swear off these depressing stories.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a riveting book about the horrifying treatment of the peace-seeking Southern Arapahos and Cheyennes at the hands of such men as Gov. Evans and the truly despicable Col. Chivington. I have read all of Coel's mystery novels and so had some familiarity with the massacre at Sand Creek, Colorado. Even so, I was unprepared for the appalling story of what happened there and the events that led to it. Anyone interested in the history of the Great Plains should read this excellent book.

[Lucy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never look at Mt. Evans again without a feeling of sadness.
Named after the first territorial governor of Colorado, John Evans,
who was a brutal and self serving man. It was difficult to sit with the details
of the enormous cruelties of the white government and military
as they self righteously and systematically cleansed the plains of the native tribes.

[Betty410 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A non fiction tale of an English speaking Southern Arapahoe who tried for peace with the invading white people without success. The author did tremendous research for which it deserves 5 stars. My rating is only because of the detail and many, many names of both races in order to tell the history.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recounting of the disastrous Indian wars of the mid 19th Century in Colorado Territory, as well as morally corrupt politicians and Army officers that eventually precipitated the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado in 1864. Authored by local favorite Margaret Coel, who also happens to be my ex-Dentist's wife. Good read, sad beyond belief.

[Victor Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The details of Chief Niwot's life are revealed in this well-researched story. It's an even-handed account of the conflict between Native Americans and European settlers in Colorado foothills. Niwot's fluency in English and statesmanship allow us to more clearly understand the issues and elevate the discussion of Native American rights.