Author: sbegay

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

Southern Ute Tribal Member Career Fair 05142024

/ by sbegay

The Southern Ute Tribal Member Career Fair is going on right now at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort! There are plenty of wonderful opportunities provided by Tribal entities and Tribal departments. For more information, please contact Rochelle Aguilar at 970-563-2990 or raguilar@southernute-nsn.gov.

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Reopening 05142024

/ by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – (970) 563-0100 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist – (970) 563-2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2024 Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Reopening Southern Ute Indian Reservation – On June 3, 2022, the Bear Dance Fire ignited on tribal trust land and burned 89 acres north of the Bear Dance grounds and along the Los Pinos River. Following the fire, non-hazardous and hazardous debris was observed on the ground surface in areas paralleling Ute Road by the Tribe’s Environmental Programs Department (EPD). Exposed hazardous materials created a potential concern for public health. Out of an abundance of caution, Tribal Council closed the Bear Dance Fire burn area, including the hiking trail along the Los Pinos River. After extensive planning, EPD, Cottonwood Consulting, and Emergency Environmental Services initiated a remediation project on April 8, 2024. The project was successfully completed on May 6, 2024. This involved the removal and proper disposal of an estimated 2 million pounds of potentially hazardous materials and soil. Additionally, to enhance the visual appeal of the area, an estimated 340,000 pounds of non-hazardous debris was removed. The remediation area has been backfilled with clean soil and reseeded with […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

Southern Ute Police Department: Dispatch Lines 05072024

/ by sbegay

Update: 05/07/2024 8:30 PM The Southern Ute Police Department phone lines are working. Thank you for your understanding! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Southern Ute Police Department Dispatch is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Our phone lines are down, and we cannot receive incoming or outgoing calls. If you have an emergency: Please dial 911. Central Dispatch will answer and transfer you to Southern Ute Dispatch. Non-emergency calls: We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working hard to resolve the issue and will update you as soon as possible. In the meantime, you may call 970-563-2820 for non-emergencies. Thank you for your understanding! -Summer Begay, Communication Specialist

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Tribal Council Welcomes Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton 05062024

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2024 Tribal Council Welcomes Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Making history, Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton of the Bureau of Reclamation became the first Commissioner to visit the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s headquarters in the agency’s 133-year existence. Chairman Melvin J. Baker, the Tribal Council, and staff extended a warm welcome to the Commissioner and her team, who were joined by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and congressional staff from Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper’s offices. The meeting provided a platform for Tribal leadership to elevate concerns about water challenges and express appreciation for the Bureau of Reclamation’s ongoing support in building tribal water resiliency. “This visit marks a new chapter in our collaborative efforts with the Bureau of Reclamation. We are grateful for Commissioner Touton’s commitment to understanding our needs and for this grant award that will assist our efforts to improve and strengthen our water security,” said Chairman Baker. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe was awarded a $4,666,719 grant, with $2.3 million coming from the federal government and $2.3 million provided by the Tribe as […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: “Land is Sacred”: Chairman Baker Urges Colorado to Block Durango’s Land Grab 05032024

by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2024 “Land is Sacred”: Chairman Baker Urges Colorado to Block Durango’s Land Grab Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Chairman Melvin J. Baker delivered a powerful testimony last night, urging the Colorado House Committee on State, Civic, Military, and Veteran Affairs to defend a historical promise. Chairman Baker urged the Committee to support Senate Bill 24-193: Protect Tribal Lands from Unauthorized Annexation. This legislation stands as a crucial shield against the City of Durango’s egregious attempt to seize Southern Ute Indian Reservation land for economic gain. For generations beyond counting, the Utes have been the unwavering stewards of Colorado. Their ancestral lands stretch across the state’s mountains and valleys, a testament to their deep connection to the land. The rich culture, traditions, and language of the Utes are woven into the very fabric of Colorado. Their resilience is a testament to their spirit, having endured forced assimilation, brutal relocations, and the relentless theft of their land and cultural heritage. The Reservation, established by federal treaties, was a solemn vow: “absolute and undisturbed use and occupation” for the Utes. Yet, Durango’s […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Connects the Future: Ignacio Broadband Now Active 04302024

by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2024 Southern Ute Indian Tribe Connects the Future: Ignacio Broadband Now Active Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe celebrated a significant milestone today with the activation of its new broadband network serving the Town of Ignacio. The activation ceremony was attended by dignitaries and leadership from the Colorado Broadband Office, La Plata County, Town of Ignacio, and Bonfire, along with Chairman Melvin J. Baker, Tribal Council, and the Southern Ute Shared Services. The Ignacio Broadband network signifies a giant leap forward in connecting the future for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. This essential infrastructure project offers residents within the boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and businesses in Ignacio with high-speed internet access, unlocking doors to advancements in education, healthcare, economic development, and overall well-being. This activation will serve over 100 Tribal Member homes. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the severity of the digital divide on the Reservation. The lack of internet access severely limited opportunities for remote work, telehealth services, and remote learning. In response, the Tribal Council prioritized bridging the gap to ensure equal access […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

US Dept. of Interior: Land Owners Q&A 05152024

by sbegay

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue invites Indian Land Owners to a Question and Answer Session on the topics of land. minerals, and royalties. This will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at SunUte Community Center in the Capote room. For more information, contact the Office of Natural Resources Revenue at 800-982-3226. – Summer Begay, Communication Specialist.

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Upper Basin Tribes Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding with Upper Division States

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:           Romaine Wood: 505-330-0160 | rdwood02@gmail.com Summer Begay: 970-563-2313 | sbegay@southernute-nsn.gov Upper Basin Tribes Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding with Upper Division States [DULCE, NM] – The Upper Basin Tribes (Jicarilla Apache Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, and the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah) and the Upper Basin States of the Upper Division of the Colorado River Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) acting through the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC), are proud to announce the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU).  This document commemorates the parties’ commitment to timely sharing of information regarding Colorado River developments, identification of Colorado River issues of mutual concern, and engagement and cooperation on measures aimed at achieving common goals. The agreement follows almost two years of close coordination between the Upper Basin Tribal Leaders and Governors’ representatives of the four Upper Division States. Tribal leaders have previously hosted meetings with the UCRC Commissioners on their homelands to share their personal experiences and community perspectives regarding Colorado River management, and to jointly identify issues of mutual concern. On April 22, 2024, the Jicarilla Apache Nation hosted the […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Preserving Tribal Sovereignty: Vice Chairman Cloud Testifies on Land Annexation 04/17/2024

/ by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2024 Preserving Tribal Sovereignty: Vice Chairman Cloud Testifies on Land Annexation Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud testified before the Colorado Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee at the State Capitol in Denver this afternoon. Cloud urged the Committee to support Senate Bill 24-193: Protect Tribal Lands from Unauthorized Annexation. This critical legislation is in response to the City of Durango’s attempt to seize Reservation land from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for the economic benefit of the City. The Utes are the oldest continuous inhabitants of what is now the State of Colorado. The Utes are resilient and have endured assimilation, relocation, and seizure of their land and culture for far too long. The Reservation was established by successive treaties and was to be “set apart for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation of the [Utes]” and “no persons . . . shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle upon, or reside” on those lands. The City’s actions take direct aim at these promises. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, a strong neighbor, proven business partner, […]

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Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

CO Indigenous Needs Assessment Community Survey

by sbegay

The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs and the Colorado Department of Education are partnering with Education Northwest, a research organization, to conduct a needs assessment on how Colorado districts and schools support Indigenous students.  The Southern Ute community is invited to share feedback on the priorities, needs, and concerns about Indigenous education in Colorado. Your community’s insights are important to helping the Colorado Department of Education accurately capture the needs and hopes for Indigenous education in the state. Feedback will help improve services to Indigenous students in the future. The community survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete.  Names will not appear on any reports about the project, and no one at the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs or the Colorado Department of Education will know individual response to the survey. The survey is open until Friday, May 10.  Please use the link below to access the survey. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7780550/CO-Indigenous-Needs-Assessment-Community-Survey -Summer Begay, Communication Specialist.

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