Category: Elections

Tribal Office Closure Notice

In observance of Christmas, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

The Tribal Health Department would like to provide notice to the Tribal Membership regarding the new Third-Party Administrator (TPA), Auxiant. The transition to Auxiant will ensure Tribal Members continue to receive quality, high-level benefits at a lower cost and more efficiently.

Tribal Members may receive updated ID cards as early as today, December 18, 2024 via USPS mail from the Tribal Health Department. Starting January 1, 2025, please ensure your providers have the Auxiant ID card on file at their facility.

If you have not yet received the Auxiant ID card by
January 31, 2025 or if you would like more information, please contact the Tribal Health Benefits Resource Team at 970-563-4720. To contact Auxiant directly, please call 1-800-475-2232.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320

Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2024

Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Baker and Olguin to Tribal Council

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Tribal Council warmly welcomed Linda K. Baker and James “Mike” Olguin during the Inauguration Ceremony held this morning in Tribal Council Chambers. Both newly elected Council Members bring extensive experience and dedication to serving the Tribe and the Tribal Membership.

Baker brings a wealth of experience to her role on Tribal Council, having previously served one term as a Council Member. In addition to her time on the Council, she has made significant contributions to the Tribe through her work with the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, where she served as Director, overseeing programs that preserved and celebrated the Tribe’s rich cultural heritage. She also played a key role in supporting the educational advancement of Tribal Members as the Higher Education Academic Advisor within the Education Department, helping to guide students in achieving their academic and career goals.

Chairman Melvin J. Baker shared optimism for the future, stating, “The knowledge and commitment that Baker and Olguin bring to this Council is invaluable. Their leadership will strengthen our efforts to honor our traditions while paving the way for continued growth and opportunity for our Tribe.”

Olguin brings over 40 years of experience and a proven track record of leadership, having previously served three terms as a Council Member. Over the course of his service, he has taken on critical leadership roles, including Acting Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Executive Officer, demonstrating his deep commitment to the Tribe’s governance and well-being. Olguin has worked alongside and under the leadership of Chairmen Leonard C. Burch, Clement Frost, and Melvin J. Baker. His years of service reflect a steadfast dedication to addressing the needs of the Tribal Membership while preserving and promoting the Tribe’s core values and traditions.

During the Inauguration Ceremony, Chairman Baker shared the announcement of selecting Treasurer Marvin Pinnecoose to serve as Vice Chairman. “Growing up on the Reservation, I witnessed the strength and resilience of our people. I am deeply humbled to serve as Vice Chairman. As Tribal Council, we have the profound duty and responsibility to uplift and support ALL Tribal Members as outlined in the Tribal Constitution. This will include both our youth and elders and respectively Tribal Members living on and off our Reservation. Together, we will work to ensure every decision and vote will bring strength to our Tribe,” stated Vice Chairman Pinnecoose. With the addition of Baker and Olguin, Tribal Council looks forward to advancing its mission of service and leadership.

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Southern Ute Indian Tribe Welcomes Baker and Olguin to Tribal Council Press Release 12162024

Tribal Council has reestablished the Committee of Elders and seeks Letters of Interest from eligible Southern Ute Tribal Elders to serve on the Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is to promote a continuing and growing heritage of language and traditional way of life through collaboration with the Cultural Preservation Department to maintain the Southern Ute language, heritage, and traditions of the Southern Ute people and to convey knowledge and experience.

Qualifications:
Any enrolled Southern Ute Tribal Member who is 55 years of age or older is eligible to serve, whether living on or off the Reservation.
An understanding of the Tribe’s language and culture is preferred, but not required.
If selected and appointed, members should attend all committee meetings and special meetings as scheduled and adhere to the Tribe’s approved Code of Conduct and Ethics Code.
Appointments will last 1-3 years.

Eligible Tribal Members may submit a letter of interest by December 31, 2024 by emailing swhyte@southernute-nsn.gov, deliver in-person to the Tribal Council Affairs Receptionist located in the Leonard C. Burch building, or mail to Tribal Council Affairs at PO Box 737, Ignacio, CO 81137.

For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2319 or Council Member Marjorie Barry at 970-563-2304.

Please save the date for the 2024 Inauguration Ceremony for two (2) Tribal Council Members on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Tribal Council Chambers (356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137). Please note that the incoming Council Members will not be determined until the Run-off Election concludes on Friday, December 13, 2024. Additional details are forthcoming. A live stream via WebEx will be available.

For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313.

The Southern Ute Election Board Office will be open to accommodate Tribal voters.

December 9, 2024 & December 10, 2024
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Absentee Ballot Deadline……………………Wednesday, December 4, 2024, by 5:00 PM

(New) Voter Registration Deadline…….Wednesday, December 4, 2024, by 5:00 PM

Emergency Ballot Request Deadline…….Thursday, December 12, 2024, By 5:00 PM

The 2024 Run-off election will be held at 285 Lakin St. Ignacio, CO on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Contact the Election Board at (970) 563-2303/2305/2729
Off-Reservation Tribal Members call 1-800-772-1236 Ext. 2303 or Email: election@southernute-nsn.gov

The End of Council Term Celebration honoring Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud and Council Member Vanessa Torres will be on Monday, December 02, 2024 at 10:00 AM. This will be held in the Tribal Council Chambers at 365 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137. The agenda is as follows:

10:00 AM Welcome
10:05 AM Prayer | Mr. Eddie Box Jr.
10:10 AM Song | Mr. Justin Lang
10:15 AM Tribal Council Remarks
10:40 AM Visiting Dignitary Remarks
11:30 AM Tribal Council Reflection
– Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud
– Council Member Vanessa Torres
12:00 PM Adjourn

A light reception will follow in the Hall of Warriors. To attend virtually, you may scan the QR code below or use the following link: https://bit.ly/2024eotc | The password is 2024eot. For more information, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at 970-563-2313.