Uncategorized Check out the Centennial Tribal Fair Premium Book September 6, 2022 / September 23, 2022 by Lindsay Box The Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Department is excited to share the Premium Book for the 100th Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair. For more information about the various activities, please contact the Superintendent/Department listed in the book. Toghoyaqh! Southern Ute Premuim Book Read more »
Uncategorized Introducing Tribal Council’s Ignacio Area Housing Study August 23, 2022 / October 3, 2022 by Lindsay Box Maykh, Please read the attached letter from Tribal Council introducing the Tribal Council’s Ignacio Area Housing Needs Study. Tribal Council has identified the need for affordable housing located in the Ignacio area which would provide new, modern housing options for the membership and tribal workforce. Since the beginning of the year, administration and hiring managers for each tribal entity have expressed that the lack of housing poses a significant challenge for the recruiting and hiring of staff. Adequate housing has been a longstanding and ongoing project for Tribal Council. Leadership encourages participation in this study. In April of this year, Tribal Council directed the Southern Ute Growth Fund (SUGF) and the Executive Office to review the 2014 Tribal Housing Study, conduct an updated needs assessment in the community, and report the findings to Tribal Council. Tribal Council requested GF Properties Group (the real estate business arm of the SUGF), in collaboration with the Executive Office, to oversee an Ignacio Area Housing Study. Once again, we are requesting your participation in this study. The feedback collected will serve as the foundation of future tribal housing developments for generations to come. This project will take a considerable amount […] Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Closed Until Further Notice July 26, 2022 / August 22, 2022 by Lindsay Box Maykh, Please read the attached press release: “Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Closed Until Further Notice” FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay J. Box – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2022 Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Closed Until Further Notice Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Tribal Council has permanently closed the Bear Dance Fire Burn Area until further notice. The Bear Dance Fire ignited on June 3 on tribal trust land. The riparian area burned 89 acres north of the Bear Dance grounds and along the Pine River. BIA Fire Management welcomed the Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) team to oversee the BAER planning and implementation. The program brought technical experts to the Southern Ute Indian Reservation to meet with tribal professionals to address safety hazards and begin restoration. While conducting a walk through with Tribal Council, leadership noticed what was thought to be an area where hazardous materials may have been disposed of in years past. The area housed historic office buildings for the BIA. Like many older buildings, the materials used at the time of construction often contained hazardous materials. The Bear Dance Fire exposed the site and the […] Read more »
Press Releases Tribal Members FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Southern Ute Tribal Council Reaffirms Significance of Tribal Sovereignty July 22, 2022 / August 22, 2022 by Lindsay Box FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay Box – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2022 Southern Ute Tribal Council Reaffirms Significance of Tribal Sovereignty Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Tribal Council shares their approved Statement on Sovereignty via Resolution No. 2022-126. The Tribal Council’s Statement on Sovereignty arises out of recent events that are an affront to the sovereignty of all tribes in the United States. The Supreme Court ruling on Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta undermines the true definition of sovereignty, and restrains Tribes’ ability to govern themselves, and ultimately protect tribal members and resources. This is the most significant threat to Tribal sovereignty in many years. Tribal Council believes the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Statement on Sovereignty illustrates the tribe’s position on this threat to tribal sovereignty and governance. “The Statement on Sovereignty reasserts the foundation for which the Tribe operates and governs itself. The Tribe will continue to fight to protect its inherent sovereignty which our past Ute leaders fought to preserve through treaties and declared by federal law in exchange for the land stolen and the attempted eradication of our Ute culture and language.” stated Chairman Melvin J. Baker. The Tribal Council’s Statement on […] Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chairman Baker Selects Ramona Y. Eagle as Vice Chairman December 20, 2021 / March 9, 2022 by Lindsay Box FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay J. Box, Communication Specialist – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 20, 2021 Chairman Baker Selects Ramona Y. Eagle as Vice Chairman Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Chairman Melvin J. Baker has selected Council Member Ramona Y. Eagle to serve as Vice Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Vice Chairman Eagle was elected to Tribal Council in 2019. Since her election, Eagle has served on the Growth Fund Management Committee, Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy School Board as Ex-Officio Member, Johnson O’Malley (JOM) Indian Committee, Ignacio Creative District, and working to re-establish the Committee of Elders. Eagle has previously served in the position of Vice Chairman two times prior under Chairmen Clement J. Frost and Matthew Box. “It is an honor to serve as the Vice Chairman under Chairman Melvin J. Baker. With a full Council, we are prepared to work on the Tribal Council priorities which benefit the tribal membership,” stated Vice Chairman Eagle. “I would like to thank, Mr. Bruce Valdez, who served as the Vice Chairman during his term.” Vice Chairman Ramona Y. Eagle is the daughter the late Clifford and Annabelle Eagle […] Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Vanessa P. Torres Re-Elected to Southern Ute Tribal Council in Run Off Election December 20, 2021 / March 9, 2022 by Lindsay Box FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay J. Box, Communication Specialist – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 20, 2021 Vanessa P. Torres Re-Elected to Southern Ute Tribal Council in Run Off Election Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The 2021 Run-Off Election was held on Friday, December 17, 2021. Tribal Council Candidate, Vanessa P. Torres successfully received majority of the votes cast with (125) votes. According to the Southern Ute Tribal Election, the Candidates who receives the majority of votes will be elected to the Tribal Council. Tribal Council held a Special Meeting this morning to certify the Run-Off Election Results. The Southern Ute Election Board confirmed the following election results: Office of Tribal Council No. of Votes Vanessa P. Torres 125 W. Bruce Valdez 115 This will be the second term serving on Tribal Council for newly re-elected tribal leader. During her first term, Torres represented the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and advocated for tribal water rights on […] Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Southwest Colorado’s Inaugural ‘Native Entrepreneurship’ Workshop October 6, 2021 / November 30, 2021 by Lindsay Box Please find the attached news release “Southwest Colorado’s Inaugural ‘Native Entrepreneurship’ Workshop”. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is sharing this release in collaboration with the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado. Southwest Colorado’s Inaugural ‘Native Entrepreneurship’ Workshop [Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Colorado, September 25, 2021] An exciting five-year collaboration to support small business growth and development began in the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. The Southern Ute Tribe, Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation, and The Leeds School of Business Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at The University of Colorado Boulder hosted the inaugural business workshop called “Native Entrepreneurship “on September 24th and 25th. Native Entrepreneurship was taught by Erick Mueller and Eric Burno, entrepreneurs and award-winning professors at the Leeds School of Business. This was a valuable program for both aspiring entrepreneurs and current small business owners. This course gave existing businesses a new perspective to stir creativity and explore new growth opportunities while providing the perfect primer for entrepreneurs navigating their way through the business start up process. “The Southern Ute Indian Tribe was honored to host the Demystifying Entrepreneurship Conference and proud of the collaboration with the various entities who came together to support […] Read more »
Uncategorized 11JT Indian Policies and Procedures Meeting September 29, 2021 / November 30, 2021 by Lindsay Box Ignacio School District (11JT) Indian Policies & Procedures Meeting The Ignacio School Board and Southern Ute Tribal Council would like to invite all parents of Native American students to the lgnacio School District’s Indian Policy and Procedures Meeting on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the Ignacio High School Auditorium. Please see attached letter, agenda, and surveys attached. Signed letter to parents 092221 IPP Agenda 10-18-2021 Primary Survey 2021 Middle School Survey 2021 Secondary 2021 Impact Aid Survey Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum Opens New Exhibit: Inside Out 2.0: Native American Artists in the 21st Century September 24, 2021 / November 30, 2021 by Lindsay Box FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay J. Box, Communication Specialist – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2021 Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum Opens New Exhibit: Inside Out 2.0: Native American Artists in the 21st Century Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum announces the opening of Inside Out 2.0: Native American Artists in the 21st Century, which showcases local Native artists and their work, with pieces from their personal collections. Native art today reflects a full range of contemporary and traditional techniques, topics, and media. Native artists are a vital part of the contemporary art community and defy stereotypes about genocide by affirming identity through material and design. Their art symbolizes both personal and cultural meaning and supports resistance, survival, and sovereignty. Featured artists in Inside Out 2.0: Native American Artists in the 21st Century are: Oreland C. Joe Sr. was born in Shiprock, New Mexico, where he grew up on both the Navajo and Southern Ute reservations. His art is influences by his roots in the Four Coroners area of the U.S. Southwest combined with classical influences he gained while studying in […] Read more »
Uncategorized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Establishment of Tribal Historic Preservation Office September 10, 2021 / November 30, 2021 by Lindsay Box FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.0100 Lindsay J. Box, Communication Specialist – 970.759.1494 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2021 Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Establishment of Tribal Historic Preservation Office Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Tribal Council is happy to announce the identification of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO). The National Park Service formally approved the Tribe’s plan to establish a THPO. The Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department, Native American Graves & Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) staff will assume the responsibility of review pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act upon completion of the development of its THPO. The Tribal THPO will assume the following functions: direct and conduct a comprehensive survey and maintain an inventory of historic and culturally significant properties on tribal lands, identify and nominate eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places and otherwise administer applications for listing historic properties on the National Register, develop and implement a comprehensive, historic preservation plan covering historic, archeological, and traditional cultural properties on tribal lands, and advise and assist (where appropriate) Federal and State agencies and local governments in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities, among […] Read more »
