Sand Creek by Gordon Yellowman T-Shirt

Originally painted by acclaimed Cheyenne artist Gordon Yellowman in the late 1990s, Sand Creek is a powerful visual remembrance of one of the darkest chapters in Cheyenne and Arapaho history. This iconic piece has been featured in published books and has become one of the artist's most recognized works.

The painting is divided into two contrasting scenes. The upper encampment, marked by green handprints, represents the Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek before the attack—alive with families, children, elders, and the daily rhythms of community life. The lower encampment, marked by blood-red handprints, symbolizes the devastating aftermath of the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when hundreds of Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed despite flying both an American flag and a white flag of peace.

The repeated tipis serve as a haunting reminder that what was once a thriving village was forever changed by violence. Through simple yet striking imagery, this painting tells a story of life, loss, survival, and remembrance.

Today, Sand Creek stands as both a memorial and a testament to the resilience of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people—a reminder that while tragedy is part of our history, so too is the strength to endure and carry those stories forward.

• Made with 100% ring-spun cotton 
• Gildan Softstyle® 
  
• Unisex Softstyle Tee