Category: Press Releases

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

/ by sbegay

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 […]

Read more »

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, […]

Read more »

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.

Read more »

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: For Our Children’s Future: Vice Chairman Cloud supports SCR24-001 04/16/2024

by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2024 For Our Children’s Future: Vice Chairman Cloud supports SCR24-001 Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud joined several Colorado Senators and advocates at the State Capitol in Denver this afternoon in support of the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment (Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-001). If passed, this Amendment would retrospectively permit victims of child sexual assault to make civil claims against an abuser or an institution regardless of how much time has passed. “Our Ute and Native youth are the heart of our future. As a leader, I believe we must work together to ensure and protect their safety and success,” said Vice Chairman Cloud. For generations, Native communities have faced an epidemic of sexual violence and trauma, starting with children being the most vulnerable targets in the federal boarding schools. Tribal Courts, due to limitations in authority and jurisdiction, are unable to prosecute non-Native perpetrators. The perpetrators are often in positions of authority such as government officials, trustees, teachers, and religious leaders. The cycle of trauma persists, silencing many young victims. Fear, intimidation, and the struggle to […]

Read more »

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

Missing Indigenous Person Alert Activation: 04/02/2024

by sbegay

Missing Indigenous Person Alert Activation: 04/02/2024 Audrina Bartley was last seen on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM in Albuquerque, NM possibly headed to Durango, CO. Audrina was wearing a white hoodie with “faith over fear”, black skinny jeans, pink shirt, and a white puma backpack. She was not wearing glasses when she was last seen. If seen, please call 911 or the Southern Ute Police Department at970-563-4401.

Read more »

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

PSA: Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Closure and Temporary Ute Road Closure

by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – (970) 563.0100 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist – (970) 563.2313 FOR RELEASE: April 01, 2024 Bear Dance Fire Burn Area Trail Closure and Temporary Ute Road Closure Southern Ute Indian Reservation: On June 3, 2022, the Bear Dance Fire ignited on tribal trust land and burned eighty-nineacres north of the Bear Dance grounds and along the Los Pinos River. In the aftermath, the Environmental Programs Division (EPD) had observed hazardous materials mixed in with the burn area debris on the ground surface in areas paralleling Ute Road. The fire exposed these areas and the presence of hazardous materials, which created a concern for public health. Out of an abundance of caution, Tribal Council closed the Bear Dance Fire burn area. EPD and various environmental professionals have assessed air, soil, water, and vegetation samplings and determined that there is currently minimal risk to human health and the environment. With a commitment to environmental stewardship, Tribal Council has directed EPD to remove these surface materials and remediate the area. Remediation will commence on April 1, 2024, and the project will consist of debris pile removal and the capping of any remaining material in place. While the […]

Read more »

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomes new Sky Ute Casino Resort General Manager

by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2024 Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomes new Sky Ute Casino Resort General Manager Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe warmly welcomes Mr. Thomas Frank as the new General Manager of the Sky Ute Casino Resort. Mr. Frank will be starting on April 3, 2024, following an impressive career of more than thirty years of experience in business development and casino operations spanning four states and three countries: Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. Throughout his career, Mr. Frank has played a key role in the development and implementation of over ten gaming start-up projects. This impressive track record includes work with the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation, and at the Dakota Sioux Casino. As General Manager, Frank will oversee the daily operations of the Sky Ute Casino Resort and all its amenities, including gaming and entertainment, hotel, restaurants, conference center, and bowling. “We believe his extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in driving positive change and will continue Sky Ute Casino Resort’s legacy as the premier entertainment destination in Southwestern Colorado,” […]

Read more »

Administration Community Culture Elections Health Press Releases Tribal Members Uncategorized Veterans

For Immediate Release: Tribal Council Advocates for Tribal Interests at the State Capitol

/ by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2024 Tribal Council Advocates for Tribal Interests at the State Capitol Ute Day at the Capitol was officially designated by Governor Jared Polis in 2019 to publicly celebrate and honor the contributions and sovereignty of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe. In addition, this designation encourages Coloradans to actively seek knowledge about the history and heritage of the Ute people in Colorado’s past, present, and future. That history has long been one of broken promises and the infringement of Tribal lands and sovereignty. Agreements with the Ute bands have been dishonored for the economic gains of others. This disrespect is not a relic of a distant past but far too often continues today. To address ongoing violations and historical injustice, Tribal Council traveled to Denver last week to meet with state legislators and the Governor to emphasize the importance of the State to uphold its commitment to Tribal agreements, particularly those concerning Tribal land. On Friday, March 15, 2024, Chairman Baker gave a powerful address to the General Assembly. He […]

Read more »

To top