Pike Peak Regional History Lecture Series: Between Two Worlds

Between Two Worlds explores the life of Sherman Coolidge, Arapahoe Indian, Episcopalian Bishop, and resident of Colorado Springs beginning in 1921.

Adopted by a white military couple as a young boy, Coolidge excelled in his studies and became one of a handful of Native American priests ordained in the Episcopal church. Coolidge remained a passionate advocate for Native American culture and was instrumental in forming the first Indian rights advocacy group fully governed by Native Americans. In spite of his success, Coolidge was often at odds with the two worlds from which he came. He faced subtle and systematic racism from white society while simultaneously struggling to find acceptance among the people of his birth. This talk will explore Coolidge’s remarkable journey to define a new and sentient Native American identity for the twentieth century.