Royalty

Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report

Maykh’ Hello

My name is Maleina Carel and I’m Miss Southern Ute for 2024- 2025. I am 17 years old and next school year I will be a Senior at Goal High School in Durango, Colo. My bands are Mouche-Capote and Weenuche. My maternal grandparents are Hardy Joy Sr. and the late Anna Weaver egap. My great paternal grandparents are James Price Sr. and Linda Lopez of Towaoc, Colo. My paternal grandparents are the late Vernest Carel and Marlene Price Carel egap. My parents are Marie Joy Carel and Vern Carel. I have an older sister, Rhianna Carel. I’m also currently serving on the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council.

I would like to share my quarterly Royalty report on the events and my trips that I have attended for the months of March, April and May.

The month of March I attended the Multi-Purpose Facility Community Powwow, I attended the round dance in Fort Duchesne, Utah, I traveled to Denver where I was able to attend the 2nd Annual Awaxa Wi Round Dance, the Denver March Powwow, and the 2nd Annual Grand Mesa Powwow in Grand Junction, Colo. This was my first time attending this Powwow. I enjoyed the ride through the mountains, and I enjoyed my time at this powwow.

April: The royalty attended Ute Day at the State Capitol in Denver, the next day I traveled to Ft. Duchesne, Utah to attend the Vietnam Veterans Princess Powwow. I was also able to attend the pageant for the Vietnam Veterans Powwow princess and welcomed the newly crowned Vietnam Veterans Powwow Princess Kohlea “Bossy” Yazzie. I attended the Golden High School seminar held at the Museum where we did our introductions and a round dance with the students, the royalty was invited by the head man Edward Box Ill to attend the UNLV Powwow in Las Vegas, Nev., I attended the Fort Lewis College social dance and my sister and I participated in the potato dance and took first place. The Ignacio Library requested the royalty for their Earth Day event, I traveled to Albuquerque, N.M. to the Gathering of Nations Powwow and I attended the Miss Indian World pageant, this year I participated in the horse parade that takes place during the GON Powwow weekend. It’s a two-day event and I really enjoyed riding through the crowd representing the Ute people. It’s something that fell into place for me, and it was an honor to be a part of this event. I also had the honor of being one of the judges for the Junior girl’s categories for North America’s biggest powwow known as the Gathering of Nations. I definitely enjoyed that experience and loved watching the dancers up close. The next day before heading back home, me and the Little Miss alternate, Olyvia Watts, were able to attend gourd dancing and round dancing held at the Pueblo Center. We got to greet and meet the newly crowned 2025-2026 Miss Indian World Dania Wahwasuck.

May: May is a really busy and fun month for me. My month started off with the very first Bear Dance of the year at Randlett, Utah where I also participated in the Randlett Ute Bear Dance fun run/walk and I also had the honor to help hand out food for their feast. The second weekend I attended the Fort Duchesne Bear Dance in Fort Duchesne, Utah, I participated in the Ute Bear Dance fun run/walk. I was able to attend the flag raising and I helped the Royalty by handing out food during their feast. I traveled back home, and on the way, I stopped in Towaoc, Colo. to attend the Ute Mountain Ute pageant and was honored to be a judge for their pageant.

The third weekend of May, I traveled back to Utah to attend the Whiterocks Bear Dance, and I participated in the fun run/walk there and I also helped the Royalty hand out food for their feast. I was in attendance at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum for the “Following Footsteps: The continuum of Southern Ute Royalty” during the opening of the Exhibit. I really enjoyed the booklet of all the pictures of past royalty including the Rodeo and Fair queens. The exhibit itself was amazing, and I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful items that were displayed in the exhibit. The final event that I was in attendance for was our Bear Dance and Powwow here in Ignacio, Co.

My day started on Friday 23rd with the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy 25th Annual Transition Ceremony, Bear Dance blessing of the Bear Dance grounds and I danced along with the Montessori students for the first dance, I was the head lady for the Friday Powwow session, I also held a Hats & Boots special on Saturday and I enjoyed all the participants and watching their dance styles. I was very honored and thankful for my family and friends for their support. I also was in attendance for the Memorial Day 2025 Day of Remembrance: Honoring all who Served event at the Veteran’s Park in Ignacio, Colo., and lastly, I helped with serving the elders and all who were in attendance for the Bear Dance feast.

This concludes my quarterly report, and I hope that you all have enjoyed all my travels and participation. I have enjoyed being a part of all these events, and I thank everyone that has helped me in any way to continue to be a great and dedicated ambassador for our Tribe. It gives me great pride and honor to represent. I would like to say Happy New Year to our membership, and I wish you many blessings throughout the year.

Malenia Carel
Miss Southern Ute
2024-2025

Jr. Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report

Mayqkh Pinonuuchiu Puan,

My English name is Leandra Litz and my Ute name is Thunder Cloud young lady given to me by my aunty Hilda Burch.

My bands are Moache and Caputa. I’m half Dine, my clans are Mexican clan and Zuni edge water clan. My parents are Alyssa Nez and Leandro Litz. I have three little brothers, Dwight, Jr and Tavach. My maternal grandparents are Fannie Yazzie and Darrell Nez. My paternal grandparents are Nicole Lansing and the late Randall Litz (Spaceman). My paternal great-grandparents are Judy Burch Lansing, the late Dwight Lansing, Alethea Gunn and the late Gilbert Litz.

I hope you all are doing well and enjoying your summer. I completed my sophomore year at Ignacio High School. During this quarter I have attended many events near and far. Some of our events happened to be back-to-back and it was tiring but I learned time management.

While traveling, I made a lot of new friends and met great people along the way. My favorite event this quarter was the Southern Ute Bear Dance Powwow where I was able to shadow people during the powwow. I was able to learn more about how and why certain things are done. I would like to express my gratitude to Rochelle Aguilar.

I truly enjoy representing our people and learning. I hope you all get to spend some time out in nature to rejuvenate. Take care of one another and see you all at the Southern Ute Tribal Fair& Rodeo.

Here are the events I attended this quarter.

March

• March 21-23 – Denver March Powwow. Denver, Colo.
• March 25 – Hozhoni Ambassador Exhibition. Durango, Colo.
• March 28-29 – Hozhoni Days Powwow. Durango, Colo. I placed 2nd in Teen Girls Northern Traditional.

April

• April 3 – Ute day at the Capitol. Denver, Colo.
• April 9 – Golden High School Senior Seminar. Ignacio, Colo.
• April 12-13 – UNLV Powwow for the Planet. Las Vegas, Nev. My fellow Royalty’s, SCSYAC and I traveled to this powwow to support Edward Box III as he was the head man for the UNLV powwow. It was great sharing our Ute culture with people. I placed 3rd in Teen Girls Northern Traditional.
• April 22 – Earth Day Celebration at the Ignacio Library. Ignacio, Colo.
• April 24 – Miss Indian World Pageant. Albuquerque, N.M.
• April 25-26 – Gathering of Nations Powwow. Albuquerque, N.M.

May

• May 9 – SUIMA Field Day. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 10 – STEM Day at the Powerhouse. Durango, Colo.
• May 10 – Ft. Duchesne Bear Dance. Fort Duchesne, Utah
• May 12 – Oath of Office Ceremony. Fort Duchesne, Utah. I was honored to witness this historical event, to see all three Ute Tribes together as one in support of one another.
• May 12 – Ft. Duchesne Bear Dance and Feast. Fort Duchesne, Utah. Miss Southern Ute and I helped serve during the feast. It was a great weekend meeting new people and relatives.
• May 13 – Bear Dance Workshop. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 13 – Ute Mountain Royalty Pageant. Towaoc, Colo.
• May 16 – Elbert J. Floyd Award Ceremony. Ignacio, Colo. I was excited to see my fellow Royalty Olyvia Watts receive this award.
• May 16 – Sip, Chat & Chew. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 17 – Recovery Retreat at Sky Ute Casino. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 17 – Durango Native Graduation Banquet. Durango, Colo.
• May 20 – Native American Mining & Energy Sovereignty Symposium. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 22 – SUCCM Royalty Exhibit Reception. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 23 – SUIMA Transition Ceremony. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 23 – Southern Ute Bear Dance Kick off meal. Ignacio, Colo.
• May 23-24 – Southern Ute Bear Dance Powwow. Ignacio, Colo. I was Head Girl for the 1 O’ Clock portion.
• May 26 – Southern Ute Bear Dance Feast and Day of Remembrance. Ignacio, Colo.

June

• June 4 – Inaugural Tero-Worker Trainee Recognition luncheon. Ignacio, Colo.
• June 4 – Jicarilla’s Royalty Pageant. This pageant was three days long. I attended on the last day, which was the traditional portion. I was asked to be a judge for the ribbon skirt contest. An elder also took me to visit with the Jicarilla Language class, there I was able to share about our Ute language and encourage the youth to keep practicing their language.
• June 5 – Ute Mountain Bear Dance & Powwow. Towaoc, Colo.
• June 6 – Ute Mountain Bear Dance Parade & Powwow. Towaoc, Colo. Southern Ute Brave Theoden Greany and I took 1st place at the parade. I also placed 1st in Teen Girls Northern Traditional.
• June 13 – BGC Summer kick off meal. Ignacio, Colo.
• June 13 – Sip, Chat & Chew. Ignacio, Colo.
• June 14 – Jicarilla Apache DOY Powwow. Dulce, N.M. I placed 2nd in Teen Girls Northern Traditional

Tog’oiak’

Leandra Litz
Jr. Miss Southern Ute
2024-2025

Little Miss Southern Ute Quarterly Report

Mique Nuuchiu,

My name is Malia Nakohe’ Menoh (Digging Bear) White Thunder. My Ute name is Yuvanasi’ru “Autumn Rose.”  My grandmother Mikki gave me that name because I was born in Autumn and the rose signifies our people. I am the current 2024-2025 Little Miss Southern Ute.

I am nine years old, and I will be going into the 4th grade at Florida Mesa Elementary. 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, Oklahoma, and the late Ross Denny. I come from the Moache-Capote bands.

This is my quarterly report as the 2024-2025 Little Miss Southern Ute for the months of March – May.

March

• March 15: Attended and danced at the MPF Community Powwow.
• March 20-23: Attended and danced at the 2025 Denver March Powwow.
• March 25: Attended the 2025-2026 Hozhoni Ambassador Exhibition.
• March 28-30: Attended and danced at the 2nd Annual Grand Mesa Powwow in Grand Junction, Colo.

April

• April 3: Attended Ute Nations Day at the Colorado State Capitol.
• April 9: Welcomed and greeted the Golden High School students at the Museum.
• April 12-13: Attended, danced, and helped my papa Edward at the UNLV Powwow.
• April 18-20: My family and I traveled to Missoula, Mont. to attend the Kyi-Yo Celebration. I represented the Tribe and danced at the powwow.
• April 25: I went to my sister Shayne’s swearing-in ceremony for SCSYAC.

May

• May 2: I attended the Color Run and had fun spraying people.
• May 3: Attended the MMIR Awareness event at Ute Park and did a welcome to all the walkers and attendees.
• May 9: Attended and helped at the SUIMA Field Day.
• May 16: I attended the Elbert J. Floyd award and my “bestie” Olyvia received it, then I went to the Sip, Chat and Chew event at MPF.
• May 17: Attended and welcomed everyone at the 2025 Recovery Retreat and also attended the Durango Native American Graduation at Fort Lewis College.
• May 20: Welcomed and danced at the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty Symposium.
• May 22: Attended the SUCCM Royalty Exhibit Reception.
• May 23: Attended the SUIMA transition ceremony, the opening of Bear Dance and the Kick-off Meal.
• May 23-24: Attended and danced at the Bear Dance Powwow. I was excited to be head girl dancer for Saturday night and did a lot of dancing.
• May 25: Attended Bear Dance and we passed out water and oranges to dancers. I also got to dance!

It has been fun traveling and representing and hanging out with Olyvia and Leandra at powwows and events. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and I will see you at the next powwow or event!

Tog’oiak’

Malia Nakohe’ Menoh White Thunder
Little Miss Southern Ute
2024-2025

Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate Quarterly Report

Maykh’ Nuchu,

Greetings, my name is Olyvia Winter-Fawn Watts, and I am currently representing as this year’s Little Miss Southern Ute 1st Alternate. I am 10 years old and will be going into the 5th grade this upcoming school year.

My father is Orion Watts, my mother is Jalisa Paul, and I have one sibling named Orion Watts Jr. My paternal grandparents are Bo Watts and Laurie Monte, my maternal grandparents are Jimmy Paul (deceased) and Tara Vigil.

Below is a list of events I have attended during the months of March, April, and May 2025. This quarter was busy and a lot of fun.

March

• March 15 – Multi-Purpose Facility Community Powwow.
• March 21-23 – Denver March Powwow.
• March 25 – Hozhoni Ambassador Exhibition (previously known as the Hozhoni Days Pageant) at Fort Lewis College.
• March 28 – Hozhoni Days Powwow at Fort Lewis College.

April

• April 9 – Performance for Golden High School students annual visit to our Southern Ute Reservation. 
• April 12 – Community Easter Egg Hunt at SunUte Park.
• April 24 – Miss Indian World Talent Presentation at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
• April 25-26 – Gathering of Nations Powwow and Horse Parade in Albuquerque, N.M.
• April 27 – Gourd Dance and Round Dance at Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M.

May

• May 2 – Color Us with Love Color Run at Piinu Nuuchi Skate Park.
• May 9 – Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Field Day.
• May 13 – Bear Dance Workshop at Sky Ute Casino Event Center.
• May 16 – Sip Chat & Chew at Multi-Purpose Facility.
• May 17 – 3rd Annual Recovery Retreat at Sky Ute Casino & Resort Events Center.
• May 20 – Performance for the Mining and Energy Retreat at Museum.
• May 22 – Opening of temporary Royalty Exhibit at Southern Ute Museum.
• May 23 – SUIMA Transition Ceremony at SunUte and Bear Dance Kickoff meal at Sky Ute Casino & Resort Events Center.
• May 23-24 – Southern Ute Bear Dance Powwow at Sky Ute Casino Events Center.
• May 23-26 – Southern Ute Bear Dance.
• May 26 – Veterans Memorial Day Celebration and Walk.
• May 26 – Help serve at the Bear Dance Feast.

As my first reign comes to an end, I would like to encourage others to run for Royalty. I have made some unforgettable memories, and I am so grateful to have had these experiences.

Tog’oiak’,

Olyvia Watts
Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate
2024-2025

Southern Ute Brave Quarterly Report

Maykwa,

My name is Theoden Greany. I am the Southern Ute Brave for 2024-2025.

I am seven years old. I attend school at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Indian Academy.

My mother is Dominika Joy, my father is Bryan Greany, my Maternal grandmother is Ellamaria Ramos, my paternal grandfather is Clifton “Butch” Greany. My maternal great grandpa is Hardy Joy. My maternal great grandma was the late Ann Weaver. My father’s linage comes from the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes of Oklahoma.

March

• March 20 – Awaxa’Wi Round dance in Denver, Colo. I enjoyed myself round dancing with the Denver Native Community.
• March 20-23 – Denver March Powwow, I had an amazing weekend, I placed 2nd in the Matt Dillon Jr Boys Fancy Memorial special, and I placed 5th in the Jr boys Fancy Category.
• March 25 – I attended the Fort Lewis College Hozhoni Ambassador exhibition.
• March 28-30 – I attended the 2nd annual Grand Mesa Powwow in Grand Junction, Colo. Where I placed 3rd in the Jr boys Fancy category.

April

• April 3 – Ute Day at the Capital – I attended Ute Day in Denver, Colo. Where I was able to walk through the “Written on the land” exhibit.
• April 5 – Gourd dance and intertribal powwow at San Juan College with fellow royalty Jr Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz.
• April 8 – I presented awards to the winners of a coloring contest I held during Ute Day at SUIMA.
• April 9 – Gold High School Royalty performance.
• April 12 – Ignacio Community Easter Egg Hunt with fellow royalty Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Olyvia Watts.
• April 12 – I attended the 17th annual Rio Rancho Public School Powwow, Where I placed 1st in the head boy Mikah Shije Jr Boys Fancy special.
• April 13 – Henry Whiteskunk II, Ute Mountain Ute Little Brave, Jai’markus Height and Ute Mountain Ute Young warrior, Kiowon Cantsee and I held a workshop to inspire and encourage young male dancers. I had a lot of fun at this workshop and am thankful for the three other males’ mothers for helping to put this event together.
• April 18-19 – I attended the 46th annual Flagstaff High School Powwow in Flagstaff, Ariz.
• April 22 – I attended the Celebrate Earth Day walk.
• April 22 – I attended the Earth Day Celebration at the Ignacio Community Library.

• April 24 – I attended the Miss Indian world pageant- It was amazing to see our sister tribe representing us as Ute people with her presentation of Bear Dance. Thank you, Malene Avila Miller!
• April 24-26 – I attended Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M.
• April 27 – I attended the Nizhoni Days Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M.

May

• May 1-4 – I attended Bear Dance in Randlett, Utah.
• May 10 – I attended the STEM Day event at the Powerhouse in Durango, Colo.
• May 13 – I attended the Bear Dance workshop held by Matthew Box.
• May 13 – I attended the Ute Mountain Ute Royalty Pageant in Towaoc, Colo.
• May 16 – I attended the Sip, Chat and Chew where I got to meet Lil Mike and Funny Bone.
• May 17 – I attended the Recovery Retreat.
• May 20 – I attended a royalty request for Mining and energy sovereignty symposium.
• May 23 – I attended the SUIMA transition ceremony.
• May 23-24 – I attended the Southern Ute Bear Dance Powwow.
• May 26 – I attended the Veterans Day memorial walk.

June

• June 6-7 – I attended the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Powwow, where I placed 1st in the Jr. boys fancy category, I also placed 2nd in outgoing UMU little brave Jr boys combined special.
• June 7 – Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz participated in the Bear Dance Parade, where we placed 1st in the royalty float category.
• June 11-12 – I attended the “Until Forever Comes” Ute Exhibit at the Pioneer Museum in Colorado Springs.
• June 14 – I attended the Dept. of Youth Children’s Contest Powwow in Dulce, N.M. Where I placed 2nd in Jr boys fancy and 2nd in the Head boy Jace Harrison Jr, boys combined special.

Thank you, and I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Theoden Greany
Southern Ute Brave
2024-2025