PC: The Southern Ute Drum
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
News
News
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State of Colorado Environmental Commission To Meet
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State of Colorado Environmental Commission (Commission) will meet on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Justice & Regulatory Administration Building- EPD Large Conference Room located at 71 Mike Frost Way, Ignacio, Colorado 81137. The agenda will include Call to Order/Introductions, New Business, Tribal Air Quality Program Updates, Tribal Air Initiatives, CDPHE Updates, Open Discussion/Questions and Public Comment, and Schedule Next Commission Meeting. For more information on the meeting, how to attend virtually, or to obtain a copy of the meeting agenda please contact Mr. Michael Kirsch, Air Quality Scientist at (970) 563-2258 or visit the Commission website at: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/departments/epd/a….
Michael J. Kirsch
Air Quality Scientist II – Planner
Environmental Programs Department
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Phone: (970) 563-2258
Notice of Leasing and TERP Code Effective Dates
By Resolution No. 2023-005, the Tribal Council adopted the Residential, Business, Agricultural, and Renewable Energy Resource Leasing Code (Leasing Code) and Tribal Environmental Review Policy Code (TERP Code). Resolution No. 2023-005 required Tribal Council to set effective dates for the Leasing and TERP Codes after approval by the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, approved the TERP Code on February 28, 2023 and the Leasing Code on April 5, 2023. The Leasing Code was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 63, on April 3, 2023.
By Resolution No. 2023-172, the Tribal Council established March 1, 2024 as the effective date for both the Leasing and TERP Codes.
The Leasing and TERP Codes will be published online at:
Printed hard copies of the codes may be obtained from the Tribal Information Services Department at:
- Email: TIS@southernute-nsn.gov
- Mail: Southern Ute Indian Tribe, P.O. Box 737, 356 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO 81137
- Phone: (970) 563-2208
- Website: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/government/tribal-code/
For further information please contact: Amy Barry, Tribal Information Services Department, abarry@southernute-nsn.gov, (970) 563-2250.
Public Notice Effective Dates Leasing TERP Codes13 – October 2023
Growth Fund Announces Arrowhead Propane as Strategic Supplier
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) conducts its Annual Lake Nighthorse Kokanee Salmon Giveaway
With permission from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Animas-La Plata Association, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is again conducting its annual Lake Nighthorse kokanee salmon spawning operation. This spawning operation is important for fisheries within the Southwest Region and across the State of Colorado.
CPW wants to let the Southern Ute Tribe and its members know about the spawning and fish giveaways. We are inviting Southern Ute Tribal members to share this fish resource.
Please see the flyer for additional information on the Salmon Giveaway Event.
The SUIT Environmental Programs Department is now accepting applications for the 2024 Cost-share Program (CSP)
The SUIT Environmental Programs Department is now accepting applications for the 2024 Cost-share Program (CSP). The purpose of the CSP is to work cooperatively with landowners to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on lands within the Reservation. BMPs are designed to improve our rivers, keep our water clean, and protect wildlife habitat. Water quality, fish/wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities deteriorate when sediment and nutrients flow into our creeks and rivers.
The CSP pays 95% of the cost of selected BMPS and the participant provides 5% cost assistance via monetary or “in-kind” labor/materials.
Applications are due November 12, 2023. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHERNUTE-NSN.GOV/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/SITES/15/2023/09/2024-CSP-APPLICATION.PDF
Contact project coordinator Dylan Ruckel at (970) 563-2295 or Druckel@southernute-nsn.gov for more information.
SUIMA announces Red Ribbon Campaign Event 2023
In collaboration with the DEA, the Southern Ute Department of Education’s Montessori Academy, SUIMA, will kick off the annual Red Ribbon Campaign on October 11, 2023, with the arrival of the Colorado National Guard’s Army helicopter from Gypsum, CO, based out of the Buckley Space Force Base. During October, the DEA will be hosting and participating in Red Ribbon events throughout the country.
Please see the press release for additional information or visit the Red Ribbon Campaign website at: https://www.dea.gov/redribbon
Tribal Office Closure in observance of Indigenous People’s Day Monday October 9, 2023
In observance of Indigenous People’s Day, the Permanent Fund, Growth Fund, and SUSS offices will be closed all-day on Monday, October 9, 2023.
Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
History Colorado Publicly Releases Federal Indian Boarding School Research Final Report
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320
Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2023
History Colorado Publicly Releases Federal Indian Boarding School Research Final Report
Southern Ute Indian Reservation – History Colorado has fulfilled its legislative mandate under House Bill 22-1327 by releasing a comprehensive final report that promotes a greater understanding of the impacts of the Boarding School era in Colorado and investigates the lived experiences of students during this period. The report was prepared in consultation with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Fort Lewis College, and other entities. The final report has been made publicly available on the History Colorado website. Tribal members may also access the report through the Tribal Member Experience.
The report sheds light on the egregious history of Federal Indian Boarding Schools across the United States. This era, unfortunately, saw education being used as a tool to eliminate traditional Indigenous language, culture, knowledge, and identity, primarily targeting children for assimilation. “This report is a vital step toward acknowledging and understanding the painful legacy of Federal Indian Boarding Schools”, said Chairman Melvin J. Baker.
The report provides an overview of HB 22-1327, a general history of Federal Indian Boarding Schools across the US, a history of schools in Colorado with an emphasis on the Teller Institute and Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School, and the Ute Experience with the Federal Education System. Out of respect for survivors, oral testimonies were not included as their trauma and emotions are not owed to the State of Colorado. This report does affirm the historical strength, resiliency, and love of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute parents to protect Ute children despite coercion, threats, and pressure from the Federal government.
Additionally, the report addresses the sensitive issue of student deaths and potential burial sites, discussing matters of disease, abuse, and the burial of children. Readers are cautioned that this content may be triggering and emotionally disturbing. Southern Ute Behavioral Health is available to provide support at (970)-563-5700. You may also directly contact Dr. Mary Young at 970-563-2370. For media inquiries, please contact Tribal Council Affairs at (970)-563-2313.
The full report can be found here: https://www.historycolorado.org/federal-indian-boarding-scho…
-Summer Begay, Communication Specialist
The Ignacio School District and the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council Announce the Ignacio School District Indian Policies and Procedures (IPP) Meeting
Attached is an invitation from the Ignacio School Board and the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council to all parents of an American Indian student to attend the Ignacio School District Indian Policies and Procedures (IPP) meeting on Monday, October 6, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at the Ignacio High School Auditorium and light meal will be served. If you have any questions, please contact Chris deKay, Ignacio Superintendent of Schools, at (970) 563-0500 or Latitia Taylor, Director of Education for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, at (970) 563-0237.
The link to the annual IPP report that is handed out has been made available online for your viewing prior to the meeting taking place.
https://www.ignacioschools.org/indian-policies-and-procedures-0267fc7e
The links for the surveys are as follows:
Ignacio Early Learning Program