Blog: Fraternity apologizes for Cowboys and Indians party

Wednesday, March 28, 2012  

"An unusual event will take place today on the University of Denver campus -- one prompted by another unusual event. At 4 p.m., students and administrators will gather near a tepee on Driscoll Green as representatives of two Greek Life organizations publicly apologize for a Cowboys and Indians theme party DU's Native Student Alliance dubs "piercingly offensive."

The bash, which took place on February 25, was sponsored by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Delta Delta Delta sorority. Attendees were encouraged to outfit themselves as either cowboys or Indians. Those who made the latter choice donned what an Alliance release describes as "phony headdresses, face paint, loincloths and all manner of stereotypical viciousness."

​Simon Moya-Smith, the DU graduate student, adviser to the Alliance and Ogalala Lakota member who wrote the aforementioned release, says the party was offensive "because it dehumanizes and objectifies American Indians. People think our regalia are costumes to play around in, but they are not costumes. They are very spiritual and, if you want to use the western term, holy garb that would be reserved for elders of title."

Get the Story:
DU Native Student Alliance offended by Greek groups' Cowboys and Indians party (Westword 3/28)