Niwot Tree Carvings
Help build a permanent home for historic wood carvings inspired by the guidance of Arapaho and Cheyenne Elders that honor the enduring legacy of Indigenous Peoples in the Boulder Valley. Originally created by artist Eddie Running Wolf and lovingly restored by his son, Dustin Wolf, these monumental sculptures deserve a prominent place to stand for generations in Niwot, Colorado.
Explore a Legacy of Tradition and Restoration
Dive into the remarkable story of how the Niwot community and the late Eddie Running Wolf, guided by Arapaho and Cheyenne Elders, transformed dying tree trunks into a profound series of Native American sculptures. Read on to discover how his son, Dustin Wolf, is meticulously managing this preservation process to restore these masterpieces.
Three Honored Figures, Carved From Wood
Figure · 01
Ma'heónėhetane
Cheyenne Holy Man
Inspired by the guidance of Southern and Northern Cheyenne Elders. Holy Men and Women serve as the essential spiritual advisers of their Tribes—running Sundances and ceremonies, walking with individuals through their spiritual quests, and offering traditional prayers and healing for the community.
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Figure · 02
Biitoheinen
Spear Lodge Man
Shaped in consultation with Elders from the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Members of the Spear Lodge were the leading defenders of their Tribes—mature men in their prime responsible for policing the camp, maintaining civic order, and enforcing the decisions of the chiefs.
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Figure · 03
Niisiitenoot Nii'eihiiho
The Eagle Catcher
Created under the guidance of an Elder from the Northern Arapaho Tribe. The capture of eagles was a deeply sacred act—young warriors lured the birds with bait into camouflaged pits, harvested the highly prized tail feathers completely by hand, and released the eagle safely back to the sky.
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Remarkable Niwot Sculptures
These one-of-a-kind carvings are entirely unique in Boulder County—created under the explicit guidance of Arapaho and Cheyenne Elders to sustain, protect, and honor Native cultural knowledge for generations. Your donation directly helps Niwot and surrounding communities celebrate Indigenous heritage, support the preservation artistry of Eddie Running Wolf, and secure the painstaking structural restoration carried out by his son, Dustin Wolf.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Niwot tree carvings are large-scale cottonwood sculptures by artist Eddie Running Wolf that honor Southern Arapaho and Southern Cheyenne ancestors. The set includes Holy Man, Spear Lodge, and Eagle Catcher, carved directly into standing cottonwoods in Niwot, Colorado.
The sculptures are being restored and will be reinstalled at Lefthand Valley Grange Park in Niwot and can be visited year-round as a self-guided walking experience.
The original cottonwoods are aging and weather-exposed. The Eddie Running Wolf Tree Carving Restoration and Relocation Fund supports conservation, structural stabilization, and the eventual relocation of the carvings to protect them for future generations.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made through the dedicated Zeffy donation page linked on this site. One hundred percent of donations support carving restoration and relocation.
Eddie Running Wolf created them in dialogue with Arapaho and Cheyenne Elders. The project does not, however, formally represent or speak on behalf of any sovereign Tribal Nation.