Located on the traditional land of the Osage, Jicarilla Apache, Arapaho and Cheyenne people.
1944 Onlooker
1945 Onlooker
Amache Directory
AMACHE PILGRIMAGE
Kimiko Marr, Greg Sommers-Herivel, Marissa Fujimoto, Kanji Sahara at the 2018 Amache Pilgrimage
Q: What is the Amache Pilgrimage?
A: Attendees usually include survivors who share memories of camp. The program includes a brief memorial service and oshoko (an offering of incense) to commemorate those who died while imprisoned there or while serving in the US military. Following the service attendees will have lunch and a short program at the Granada Undivided school. Attendees will also visit the Amache Museum.
Q: When does the Amache Pilgrimage take place?
A: The annual Amache Pilgrimage usually takes place on the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend.
Q: Do participants need to register or make reservations? Is there a fee?
A: Yes registration or a reservation is required to attend. Please note an additional reservation is required for bus transportation.
Q: What is the agenda for the Amache Pilgrimage? Which locations will we visit?
A: After a short rest stop in Limon participants will arrive at the Amache cemetery at approximately 11:00AM for a brief memorial service and oshoko (an offering of incense) to commemorate those who died while imprisoned there or while serving in the US military. Attendees then meet at Granada Undivided School, where lunch and a short program are provided. The bus re-boards by 2:30 for the return trip to Denver; passengers are dropped off in reverse order from the morning’s list and can expect to arrive back at Simpson between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
Q: Is bus transportation to the Pilgrimage available?
A: Two pick-up points are available for the Amache Pilgrimage. The first pick-up boards at 6:00AM at Simpson United Methodist Church, 6001 Wolff Street, Arvada 80003. The second pick-up is 6:30AM at downtown Denver’s Tri-State Buddhist Temple, 1947 Lawrence Street, Denver 80202.
Q: Are food and drinks available at Amache?
A: Yes. Lunch, snacks, and water will be provided.
Q: What is the weather like at Amache during the Pilgrimage?
A: Be prepared for ANY kind of weather as it can change very, quickly. Winds usually kick up as we go deeper into the afternoon. Bring a hat, sunscreen and lip balm and USE THEM even if it's cloudy, as ultraviolet light penetrates clouds and is rather intense at higher elevations. Also DRINK PLENTY OF WATER while you’re there. STAY HYDRATED EVEN IF THE WEATHER IS MILD. The air is much drier at higher elevations.
Q: Is there a religious service during the Pilgrimage?
A: YES. An interfaith service is traditionally a part of the Pilgrimage program. You are welcome to participate in the traditional flower offering.
Q: Can we collect items found on the site as souvenirs or for other purposes?
A: Like all other national park sites, you should take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.
At Amache, you are also visiting an active archaeology site that has been studied for almost 15 years. As you tour Amache, you may see objects the residents left behind, called artifacts. By leaving artifacts where you find them, you help to make sure they continue to tell the authentic story of the people who lived here. Artifact locations have been catalogued with GPS coordinates for future educational reference.
Q: Can I drive myself? If I want to stay longer, what are my options?
A: For attendees who arrive by private car there is often a dinner/discussion on Saturday night for a nominal fee or donation. Last year, dinner was held at Shorty’s Cafe at 200 W. Snowden Ave, Granada, CO. Hotels are available in Lamar, Colorado, 17 miles to the west on Highway 50.
On Saturday afternoon and Sunday, pilgrims can visit the Amache site to find their family barracks or visit the Amache Museum. There is a self-guided driving tour with interpretive signs.
Another option is visiting the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, located 35 miles northwest of Amache. At Sand Creek visitors can learn about the woman for whom the Amache Relocation Center was named and her Cheyenne sub-Chief father, Ochinee, who was killed at Sand Creek in 1864.