Southern Ute Indian Tribe
News
News
Cedar Point Townhome Rental Rates Reduced
7th Annual Leonard C. Burch Art and Literacy Context
Dear Students,
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe would like to invite you to participate in the 7th Annual Leonard C. Burch Art and Literacy Contest.
Leonard C. Burch was the Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council for more than 32 years. Under his leadership, the Southern Ute Tribe became a major economic force in La Plata County and in Indian Country.
The Southern Ute Tribal Council passed a resolution in 1996 to declare Dec. 10 of every year Leonard C. Burch Day. This year, we will honor Leonard C. Burch and his life by holding the 7th Annual Leonard C. Burch Art and Literacy Contest.
The contest is open to all Elementary and Middle School students. This year’s theme is: “Health and Wellness of the Utes” and all entries must pertain to this theme. The contest will end on Dec. 7, 2018. All entries must be submitted to Trennie Collins at The Southern Ute Drum office by Dec. 7 at 5 PM or can be mailed to PO Box 737, Ignacio, CO 81137.
Please see the flyer for complete information on contest guidelines.
Southern Ute Tribal Member Photo Contest
Tribal Member Identification Card Fees
Southern Ute Tribal Credit Committee Member Vacancy
The Southern Ute Credit Committee is looking for eligible Tribal Member applicants to serve on the Committee. The appointment is for three (3) years. This is a compensated Committee, and, you will be considered an employee of the Tribe, per IRS guidelines. Credit Committee will submit approved applicant recommendation to Tribal Council for final appointment.
Individuals seeking to serve on the Committee must demonstrate a reputation of personal integrity, dependability, honesty, a strong work ethic, and the ability to perform in a non-biased, confidential and fair manner. They must be familiar with the objectives of the Declaration and must maintain good financial standing with the Tribe. These individuals must also pass criminal background and reference checks, per the Credit Committee By-laws.
The duties of the Tribal Credit Committee are:
- Approve loans as required by the Credit Committee Declaration
- Monitor compliance with the Declaration
- Monitor all approved loans for performance
- Make recommendations to Tribal Council on program revisions and updates regarding Committee operations
- Maintain confidentiality, objectivity and fairness in conducting all Committee business
- Hold regular meetings and other special meetings, as needed
- Coordinate the Committee’s annual budget with Tribal Credit Staff
Interested Tribal Members are asked to submit a letter of interest to the Tribal Credit Committee, PO Box 737 #60, Ignacio CO 81137. If you have any questions, please speak with Daniel Larsen, Tribal Credit Division Head, at 970-563-2458.
WARNING: MOUNTAIN LION PRESENT!
In recent days, several mountain lion sightings have been reported along the Pine River
corridor in the Ignacio vicinity (Ute Park south to Shoshone Park). Although lions are rarely
seen here, the river corridor offers excellent habitat for this large predator, and its occurrence
here is not unusual.
If you use the trails or parks below Tribal Campus and along the Pine River, please take some
basic precautions to minimize your chance of an encounter with a lion. These include the
following:
- Travel with a friend or group and keep small children near you
- Avoid walking within densely vegetated sites
- Do not let pets run unleashed
- Avoid recreating at dawn and dusk, when lions are most active
- Carry a weapon or deterrent device within quick reach
- Know how to behave if you encounter a mountain lion
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION
In the vast majority of mountain lion encounters, the animals exhibit avoidance, indifference,
or curiosity that never results in human injury. However, it is natural to be alarmed if you have
an encounter of any kind. Try to keep your cool and do the following:
- Recognize threatening lion behavior. If the animal quickly passes from view and is
not observed again, the risk of further encounter is minimal. However, if the lion
exhibits a pattern of follow‐and‐hide, creeping, or intense staring, recognize this as
threatening behavior and respond accordingly. - Do NOT run from a lion, as this could trigger a predatory instinct to chase. Instead,
walk away slowly from the encounter. - Try to appear as intimidating as possible: maintain eye contact, yell at the animal,
stand tall, and wave your arms. - If attacked, FIGHT back. Use a weapon such as a knife, walking stick, or rocks. Lion
attacks can often be stopped by effective resistance.
If you have recently encountered a mountain lion in this area, or would like additional
information, please contact the Wildlife Division at the number below. After hours please
contact Southern Ute Dispatch for assistance.
Southern Ute Wildlife Division – (970) 563‐0130
Southern Ute Dispatch – (970) 563‐4401
Notice of Revised Protective Covenants and Restrictions of the Cedar Point Subdivision and Availability Notice
On August 28, 2018, the Tribal Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-159, approving revisions to the existing Protective Covenants for the Cedar Point subdivision area. In addition, the resolution authorized a notice to the membership of 23 lots available for use by eligible Tribal members in need of housing.
In the early 2000’s, the Protective Covenants were first approved. The revisions include, among other things, combining the Cedar Point West and Cedar Point East covenants into one document, removing the homeowners association, prohibiting Off Highway Vehicle use, requiring construction to conform with standards in the recent International Residential Code or as authorized by the Tribe, and prohibiting any drug illegal drug-related activity. You may obtain hard copies of the Protective Covenants from the Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources or Housing Department.
If you have questions, contact the Director of Tribal Housing, Garry Fulks at 970-563-2723 or email gfulks@suthernute-nsn.gov or the Department of Natural Resources, Lands Division Head, Germaine Ewing, at 970-563-2228 or email gewing@southernute-nsn.gov.
Southern Ute Indian Tribe clarifies decision to terminate relationship with the Southern Ute Community Action Programs, Inc.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Christine Sage, Chairman – 970.563.0100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2018 – 4:15 P.M
Southern Ute Indian Tribe clarifies decision to terminate relationship with the Southern Ute Community Action Programs, Inc.
Southern Ute Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe (the “Tribe”) has maintained a longstanding relationship with the Southern Ute Community Action Program, Inc. (“SUCAP”). In addition to providing direct financial support, the Tribe, since 1966, has applied for and administered grants from the federal government supporting SUCAP programs. On Wednesday, August 1, 2018, Tribal Council unanimously agreed to terminate the relationship between the Tribe and SUCAP effective December 31, 2018.
In recent years, Tribal Council has become concerned that the nature of some SUCAP programs had changed and that they were inconsistent with the federal programs that were funding them. Grants which were primarily funded under federal programs intended to principally benefit tribal members or other Native Americans in the community were often not being used for that purpose. The Tribe has determined it cannot, in good faith, continue to apply for grants under federal programs where SUCAP does not utilize the funds for the population which they were intended to benefit.
By way of example, the Tribe has historically funded the SUCAP Head Start program. In originally authorizing the Head Start program, Congress allocated funds for an “Indian Head Start program”. The Tribe is included within Region XI, designated for Head Start Programs operated by federally recognized tribes. Region XI consists of approximately 150 tribally operated Head Start programs designed to principally serve American Indian and Alaska Native families and children. Currently, these programs assist 20,000 children, over 81% of whom are American Indian or Alaska Native. Many of those programs incorporate cultural and traditional language practices. In contrast, today the majority of children enrolled in the SUCAP Head Start and Early Head Start programs are non-Native. Less than 8% are Southern Ute tribal members. SUCAP has indicated to us it is the only tribally operated Head Start program within Region XI where the majority of children served are non-Native. The Southern Ute Tribal Council feels it is not appropriate for the Tribe to request federal funds allocated to benefit disadvantaged Native American youth when SUCAP does not primarily do so, while taking those funds away from tribal programs that actually fulfill the program’s intent. SUCAP may apply for funds to support its Head Start initiative from federal programs not intended to benefit primarily tribal members.
This was not a hastily made decision. In fact, this decision by the Tribal Council should come as no surprise to SUCAP. For some time now, the Tribal Council has expressed to SUCAP its concerns regarding administration of its programs. These concerns are not limited to those mentioned above. There have been increasing problems with the timeliness and accuracy of the information SUCAP provides regarding the programs it administers. In addition, tribal departments, including the court system and health department, have lost confidence in many of SUCAP’s programs and, in some cases, decline to use them.
SUCAP can’t attribute any decline in services to this action by the Tribe. For many years, the Tribe has attempted to convince SUCAP to identify other sources of funds to support its operations. However, SUCAP has made little effort to do so. On October 11, 2011, the Tribe entered into a tentative agreement in which it indicated it would provide significant financial support for a new facility for SUCAP contingent upon SUCAP raising the additional necessary funds. However, upon learning seven years later that SUCAP had done almost nothing to support its end of the arrangement – having only raised approximately .2% of the funds it needed – the Tribe was required to cancel that arrangement.
These and other matters caused the Tribe to become increasingly concerned about SUCAP’s management. Based on these concerns, the Tribal Council has determined it necessary to discontinue any further relationship with SUCAP. The Tribe has also instructed SUCAP to discontinue use of the Southern Ute name or imply any further association with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. The Tribe is investigating those services formerly provided by SUCAP that it may now administer.
###
Revised Traffic Code Adopted
On July 31, 2018, the Tribal Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-130, approving a revised Traffic Code. Tribal Council will now submit the Traffic Code to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for review and approval. Once BIA approves it, the Traffic Code will become effective six months later. This will allow the Tribe extra time to educate the membership and the public of the new Code.