Tipi poles belonging to the Native Student Alliance (NSA) were vandalized on April 15, 2022, marking another anti-indigenous act on the DU campus.

On April 20, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner sent out a formal email apology to the student body on behalf of the University of Denver. His apology was directed to the Native and Indigenous communities. On the evening of the construction of the tipi, the poles were left out in the open. Unknown individuals destroyed these poles.

A week earlier, on April 15, the Native Student Alliance gathered together to host a cultural meeting involving the construction of a tipi in front of the Anderson Academic Commons. Guided by Reshawn Edison (Diné), members of the community were able to learn the sacred ways of assembling a tipi.

“We thank Reshawn for his contributions to our group and the traditional wisdom and knowledge passed down to our future cohorts of students,” said NSA in an Instagram post.

In his initial email, the chancellor goes on to explain DU’s role in the incident and how the poles were supposed to have been secured by the university.

The poles have a deeper meaning than just being regular constructing materials for the native and Indigenous communities. Tipi poles are cared for as spiritual beings. They are a direct extension of their culture, histories and families.

“The destructiveness violates our values and undermines our commitment to create a welcoming and belonging environment. I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms,” said Haefner.

Leaders of the community are currently working to provide NSA with new poles through an emotional ceremonial journey.

Camera footage is currently under review in an open investigation by the university. Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact Michael Bunker, Director of Campus Safety at michael.bunker@du.edu or anonymously through the Campus Safety reporting site.