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Current 2023-2024 Southern Ute Royalty
Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report
Maykh,
My name is Autumn Sage, and I am the 2023-2024 Miss Southern Ute. My Ute name is Pachukwi (River Otter), I am 19 years old, and I graduated from Ignacio High School. My parents are Roger Sage Jr. and Lynnette Sage. My paternal grandparents are Roger Sage (Christine Baker Sage) and the late Vera Mae Cuthair. My maternal grandparents are the late Leonard C. Burch and the late Irene C. Burch.
So far into my reign as Miss Southern Ute it has been an honor to represent the Southern Ute Tribe at many different events and powwows, also being able to meet many different people at all of the events I have attended and I will continue to do my best as being Miss Southern Ute and representing the Tribe at the different events in the future.
This is my second quarterly report and I want to inform the Southern Ute Tribal membership on the events and powwow I have attended from last year in December into the new year from January and February.
December 2023
Dec. 1: Attended the End of Term Celebration for Chairman Melvin Baker and Council Members, Linda Baker and Dr Stacy Oberly.
Dec. 2: I Was a part of the First Annual Sky Ute Casino Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Dec. 2: Participated in a Round Dance hosted by the Durango Native American Education Program located at the Durango High School in their Aux Gym.
Dec. 16: The Southern Ute Royalty greeted the tribal membership and visitors at the Tribal Christmas Dinner. We also helped severe and carry plates for elders.
Dec. 16: Watched the SUIMA Christmas Program.
Dec. 18: Attended the Inauguration Ceremony for Chairman Melvin Baker and Council Member Marty Pinnecoose.
Dec. 22: Attended the Christmas Sip, Chat, and Chew event sponsored by Tribal Council located at the Multi-Purpose.
Dec. 24: Attended a Mini Christmas Eve Powwow held at the Ute Mountain Rec Center in Towaoc, Colo.
Dec. 31: Participated in welcoming in the New Year at the New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Multi-Purpose.
January 2024
Jan. 13: Attended the Multi-Purpose Community Powwow.
Jan. 19: Opened for the SUIMA talent show at the SunUte Rec Center.
Jan. 19: Attended the Sip, Chat, and Chew for January.
Jan. 22 and 29: Attended and told stories at the Story Telling located Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum.
February 2024
Feb. 5: Took part in telling one of the Diné cultural stories at the last Ute Story telling at the Southern Ute Museum.
Feb. 9: Participated in giving out Valentines gifts to the Tribal Community at the Sip, Chat, and Chew.
Feb. 10: Participated in the February Community Powwow hosted at the Multi-Purpose and was also asked to be Head Lady for the powwow.
Feb. 26: I took part in an interview with Native Lens to which Royalty’s interviews would be used to create a film directed by the Native Lens members and the film would be displayed at the Durango Film Festival.
I have had a wonderful time representing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and pledge to always respect my crown as Miss Southern Ute. I have met some great people and had a great time attending the different events. I would like to thank the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, my fellow royalty members, and my family for helping me fulfill my duties. I hope to have many more great moments at all the upcoming events and powwows.
Tog’oiak’
Autumn Sage
Miss Southern Ute
2023-2024
Jr. Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report
Mique,
My name is Maleina Carel and I’m currently the Jr. Miss Southern Ute for 2023- 2024.
I’m 16 years old and I’m currently in the 10th grade. My bands are Moache Capote and Weeminuche. My maternal grandparents are Hardy Joy Sr. and the late Anna Weaver. My great grandparents on my paternal side are James Price Sr. and Linda Lopez of Towaoc, Colo. My paternal grandparents are the late Vernest Carel and Marlene Price Carel. My parents are Marie Joy (Carel) and Vern Carel. I have an older sister, Rhianna Carel and I currently serve on the Powwow Committee.
I would like to share my quarterly report of the events that I have attended and participated in so far this year.
December 2023
I attended the End of Term Celebration for Council members Dr. Stacey Oberly and Linda Baker and for Chairman Melvin J. Baker, the inauguration ceremony for the newly elected council member Andrew Gallegos, the Southern Ute Tribal Christmas Dinner, the inauguration ceremony for the newly elected Chairman Melvin J. Baker and Tribal Council member Marty Pinnecoose.
January 2024
Jan. 13: Community Powwow at the Multi-Purpose Facility in Ignacio, where I did my introduction and welcomed everyone to the powwow.
Jan. 19: Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy talent show, I participated in dancing and did an introduction to welcome everyone that was there.
Jan. 22: Storytelling at the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum. I shared a story about the Bear Dance.
February 2024
Feb. 5: Story telling at the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum. I shared a story about the Ute Creation story told by the late Alden Naranjo egap.
Feb. 9: I participated in dancing and did an introduction at the Jicarilla Day Powwow in Dulce, N.M.
Feb. 10: I attended the Sweetheart Powwow at the Multi-Purpose Facility here in Ignacio. I participated in the two-step contest with my dancing partner Glen Garcia and we took second place. I also participated in the potato dance with my sister Rhianna Carel and we won first place. That was a fun powwow and I really enjoyed myself.
Feb. 26: We were asked to do an interview by Native Lens Media Fellowship for their short film and short story. They wanted royalty to share their experiences as Tribal Royalty so it may inspire and be educational for the younger people. It was as an honor and a fun experience to be interviewed. I enjoyed sharing the things that I know about our culture and my past and present experience of representing as royalty.
My last event that I want to include was on March 2nd — the viewing of the film at the Durango Arts Center located in Durango, Colo. It was exciting to watch the film and see myself on the big screen. This is something that I will always remember, and I would like to thank the following group that worked with us: Sommer Lopez, Elyse Frederick’s, Tony Tolino and Evan Smith, also Kree Lopez, I was glad that she was there during my interview. I was very nervous but just having someone I know there really made it much more comfortable for me to talk and feel at ease. They all did a great job!
This concludes my travels and events for my quarterly report. I hope you all enjoyed reading about my participation in the past events that I was invited to attend.
Happy Ute New Year to the membership and I’m looking forward to seeing you as we all gather to celebrate during the Bear Dance.
Tog’oiok,
Maleina J. Carel
Junior Miss Southern Ute
2023-2024
Little Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report
Mique Nuchu,
My name is Shayne Morning Star White Thunder. My Ute name is Tөmөsi’iru “Winter Rose.” My grandmother Mikki gave me that name because I was born in winter and the rose signifies our people. My Cheyenne name is Azem’heh “Rearing Woman.” I am named after my Nishgit (grandma) Bobbie. I am the current 2023-2024 Little Miss Southern Ute.
I am 10 years old, and I attend school at Florida Mesa Elementary in Durango, Colo. in the fourth grade. My mother is Heather White Thunder, and my father is Seth Roubideaux. My paternal grandmother is Mikki Naranjo, and my great-grandparents are the late Eugene Naranjo and the late Dixie Naranjo. My maternal grandparents are Bobbie White Thunder from El Reno, Okla. and the late Ross Denny. I come from the Moache-Capote bands and I’m a descendent of Buckskin Charlie. I am also Cheyenne and Arapaho from my mother’s side.
I like to read, play video games, draw/paint, play basketball, and I am learning how to bead and sew. I enjoy representing the Southern Ute Tribe and I continue to learn every day.
The following are events that I have attended and participated in this quarter:
December 2023
Dec. 1: Attended a Tribal Council event that recognized council members who concluded their terms.
Dec. 2: Attended the First Annual Christmas Tree lighting at the Casino.
Dec. 2: Attended and danced at the Durango School Round Dance.
Dec. 16: Represented at the Eugene White Thunder descendants benefit dance in Concho, Okla.
January 2024
Jan. 13: Attended and danced at the January community powwow.
Jan. 19: Represented and danced for SUIMA students at the SUIMA talent show.
Jan. 22 & 29: Attended and told stories at the Ute storytelling events.
Feb. 10: Attended and danced at the February community powwow.
Feb. 27: I did an interview with Native Lens for Royalty to be featured in a film.
I have enjoyed attending different events and traveling to represent the Southern Ute Tribe and meeting new people. I am excited to attend upcoming events.
Tog’oiak’
Shayne Morning Star White Thunder
Little Miss Southern Ute
2023-2024
Southern Ute Brave Quarterly Report
Myhke Nuuchiu,
Greetings to the Tribal membership and all Indian Country!
Hello, my Name is Henry Elkriver Whiteskunk II. I am the Southern Ute Brave for 2023-2024. I’m 16 years old and I am a sophomore at Ignacio High School. My Ute name is Supurnay. Whiteskunk.
My parents are Henry Whiteskunk and Daisy House Eagle. My paternal grandparents are Willette Thompson and the late Edward Whiteskunk. My maternal grandparents are Linda Eagle and Bradley Hight. My great paternal grandparents are the late Doris Red and William Thompson. My great maternal grandparents are the late Clifford & Annabell Eagle.
I have attended the following events for this quarter:
December 2023
I applied to be on the Wildlife Youth Advisory Board for the alternate position for the Southern Ute Tribe. I was accepted into the position this month.
Dec 1: I attended the lighting of the tree at the Casino.
Dec.10: I participated in the Christmas Hand game tournament in Towaoc, Colo. My team took first place! At the time I was also gifted three sets of hand game sticks from various people.
Dec. 24: I was asked to be Head Man at the Christmas Powwow in Towaoc, Colo. I was very honored to be taking on that role.
Dec. 31: I attended the New Year’s Eve Celebration held at the Multi-Purpose facility.
January 2024
Jan. 13: I was asked to be Head Man for the Community Powwow at the Multi-Purpose. Thank you to Elise and her staff for allowing me to take this role on.
Jan. 19: Royalty was the opening act for the talent show hosted by SUIMA.
February 2024
Feb. 2-10: I attended the Valentine’s Day powwow at the Multi-Purpose.
Feb. 24: I attended the Awareness Powwow held in Alamosa, Colo. I was also Head Man for this powwow.
Feb. 26: I along with my fellow royalty members did interviews for Native Lens media.
This concludes my report for this quarter. I’d like to thank Ruth Horn of the San Luis Valley Indian Center. Ute Mountain Ute Royalty and Rayyni Badback. Elise Red and the Multi-Purpose staff and the powwow volunteers.
Thank you all for allowing me to represent the Southern Ute Tribe as Head Man for these past powwows.
Tüvüchi Togwayok(a)
Henry Whiteskunk II
Southern Ute Brave
2023 – 2024
Southern Ute Brave Alternate Quarterly Report
My name is Theoden Greany. I am the 2023-2024 Southern Ute Brave Alternate. I am five years old; I proudly attend the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy. My mother is Dominika Joy, my father is Bryan Greany. My siblings are Starlitt Greany and Mykel-Zain Greany.
My maternal Grandmother is Ella-Marie Ramos. My paternal Grandfather is the late Clifton “Butch” Greany Jr. My maternal Great Grandparents are the late great Anna L. Weaver, and Hardy Joy. My Paternal Great Grandparents are Clifton Greany Sr. and Hazel Greany.
My father’s lineage comes from the Southern Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes from El Reno, Okla.
Some of my hobbies include round dancing with my grandma, working out, fishing, riding my scooter/skateboard, going to the movie theater, and traveling.
Here is a list of all the events and performances I have had the privilege to be a part of thus far:
January 2024
- I attended the Mile High New Year’s Eve Celebration Powwow in Denver. Where I placed 1st in a Boys Youth Enrichment Special, 1st in a switch dance special and round danced the new year in with my family.
- I attended and participated in all SUIMA Eagle Wing drum practices for the month of January.
- I attended and participated in the MPF Community Powwow on Jan. 13. Where I placed in the Head Lady- Miss Indian New Mexico Kelsey Quintana- Special.
- 19, I did a Fancy Dance performance alongside Southern Ute Brave Henry Whiteskunk II at the SUIMA 1st annual Talent Show. I also participated in the talent show by showcasing my athleticism by completing 10 incline push-ups and 26 chin ups.
February 2024
- I attended and participated in all SUIMA Eagle Wing drum practices for the month of February.
- I attended the MPF Sip, Chat, and Chew on Feb. 9, where I handed out my special valentines to those who attended.
- I attended and participated throughout both days at the Jicarilla Day Powwow on Feb. 9 and 10.
- I attended and participated in the Valentines Day Round dance on Feb. 14 in Towoac, Colo.
- I attended and participated in the 13th Annual AIPAC Powwow on Feb. 17 in Thorton, Colo. Where I placed 3rd in a Jr Boys Combined Special.
- 26, I participated in an interview for a film by Native Lens.
- 27, I attended “The Powwow Circle: Creating a Shared space built on trust and Collaboration” which featured Tribal Council Member Marty Pinnecoose at Fort Lewis College.
March 2024
- March 2 and 3 I attended and participated in the Apache Gold Powwow in San Carlos, Ariz. I had so much fun at this powwow!
- March 6, I attended a special meeting with fellow royalty members and Tribal Council.
- March 9, I attended and participated in the MPF Community Powwow.
I’m looking forward to attending many more events in the future and I hope that you are all doing well.
Tog’oiak’
Theoden Greany
Southern Ute Brave Alternate
2023 – 2024
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