Category: Tribal Members

Committee of Elders Vacancy

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.

The family of the late Southern Ute Tribal Chairman, Leonard C. Burch, announces the return of the Annual Walk/Run on December 10, 2024

The family of the late Chairman Leonard C. Burch would like to share historical information on how Leonard C. Burch Day was created and how he continues to be honored each year as the leading trailblazer of the Southern Ute people for our new generation of tribal members and for tribal staff who may come on board within a Southern Ute tribal entity recently.

This day of recognition was first established on Dec. 10, 1996, by the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council and is celebrated as a tribal holiday — every December by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, La Plata County and the State of Colorado. LaPlata County leadership and the State of Colorado followed suit in 2020, by formally acknowledging December 10th as Leonard C. Burch Day in 2020.

Growing up in the impoverished Ute reservation near Ignacio, Burch maintained a determination and vision that carried through all of his life endeavors. After graduating from Ute Vocational School in 1954, he served four tours of duty with the U.S. Air Force in Turkey. In 1959, Burch returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Irene. The couple eventually had seven daughters and 14 grandchildren. Throughout his life, he focused on family values and gatherings, mostly spending quality time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren.

Leonard C. Burch was elected to the Southern Ute Tribal Council at the young age of 32 in 1966 and served as Chairman for 28 years. Leonard C. Burch was a true leader who paved the way for Native Americans all over the country, many of whom visit regularly to learn from the 1,400-member tribe’s success story. He held a constant dream that his people could build a better future for themselves and after years of persistence, that dream grew to a reality.

Burch was known for his strong cultural ties to his Ute traditions, his visionary leadership in his role as the Tribe’s longtime chairman and unparalleled dedication to family, community, and the many friendships he cultivated along the way.

Leonard C. Burch retired from his remarkable political career at the end of 2002; he passed on in August the following year. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe dedicated the newly built Tribal Administration Building in his name soon after. Inscribing a set of bronze plaques with the inscription, “In memory of Leonard C. Burch, 1933-2003, Former Chairman, Council Member, Sun Dance Chief and Great Visionary — Thank you for your leadership, dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of your people.”

Tavuci Togoiak Chairman Burch, you will forever be remembered as our “Shining Star”.

– Tribal Information Services

Inauguration Ceremony Save the Date 12/16/2024

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.

Southern Ute Election Board Special Hours

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

 

End of Council Term Celebration 12/02/2024

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.

SUDEP: Norton LifeLock Information Session

The Southern Ute Digital Equity Program in partnership with Norton LifeLock will offer information sessions with a LifeLock representative. There will be multiple times available and virtual attendance supported by WebEx will be available for those who cannot make it in person.

Tribal Members are welcome to stop by the Growth Fund building on Monday, December 2nd between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM or on Tuesday, December 3rd between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. For more information please contact SUDEP at 970-563-5555.