Category: Community

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320

Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2025

Ute Tribes and State of Colorado Strengthen Government-to-Government Relationship during Ute Day at the Capitol

Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe were honored at the Colorado State Capitol during the annual Ute Day on Thursday, April 3, 2025, this event that celebrates the deep-rooted and enduring relationship between the Ute Tribes and the State of Colorado.

Hosted by Governor Jared Polis and Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Chair of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, this important gathering brought together Tribal and state leadership, youth representatives, legislators, and Tribal Members to reaffirm their commitment to collaboration, respect, and shared goals.

“The relationship between the State and the Ute Tribes of Colorado is critical to ensuring that every Coloradan, especially members of Tribal communities, can thrive,” said Governor Polis. “For generations, Colorado has had an open, productive, and beneficial relationship with Tribal governments, and today, we celebrate those important connections and further strengthen our collaboration. I thank the Tribal leaders and community members who traveled to the Capitol today to share experiences, collaborate on solutions, and continue our long legacy of respect and open dialogue.”

From the Tribe’s perspective, the event served as an important platform to share cultural knowledge, affirm sovereign values, and build meaningful relationships with Colorado’s elected officials.

“This day provides a valuable opportunity to foster greater understanding and strengthen the bonds between our Tribe and the State of Colorado,” said Chairman Melvin J. Baker. “We welcome the chance for all to learn more about our Tribe, sovereignty, rich culture, and our ongoing commitment to self-determination, as we cultivate a strong working relationship with the State for the benefit of all.”

Chairman Baker and Tribal Council expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with state legislators to build and maintain respectful, government-to-government relationships. The presence of Southern Ute Royalty and members of the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council added significance to the day, as they represent the next generation of leaders committed to carrying forward the legacy and strength of the Pino Nuuchiu.

Tribal leaders also extended their gratitude to local elected officials, state partners, and Tribal Members who joined in the day’s events. The celebration concluded with a community lunch at History Colorado, where Tribal youth shared presentations that reflected their unique perspectives, cultural pride, and commitment to the future of their communities.

This day served not only as a reminder of the historical and present-day partnership between the Tribes and the State, but also as a testament to the power of unity, respect, and shared purpose.

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April is designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States since 1983. It is an annual observance in dedicating raising awareness and preventing child abuse. Former President Obama continued the tradition and in 2016, issued a Presidential proclamation stating: “During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recommit to giving every child a change to succeed and to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that is free from abuse and neglect.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, communities should rededicate themselves to being supportive of families and play an active role in preventing child abuse and neglect as well as taking a positive action to promote child and family well-being.

On April 5, 2017, the late Mr. Alex Cloud (egap), former Vice Chairman, signed and designated April as, “Southern Ute April Child Abuse Prevention Month”:

WHEREAS, children on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation have a right to a safe, thriving, and growing environment so they can reach their full potential and benefit their generation and the next; and

WHEREAS, child abuse, neglect and the observation of violence can create adverse childhood experiences that can lead to emotional, psychological, and physical issues that can affect a child’s quality of life, and

WHEREAS, the community members can come together and create a strong healthy support system by: providing safe and nurturing homes free from violence, neglect, and abuse; providing a Helfand to children and families in need; providing safe child-friendly events and activities outside the home; and by breaking the historical trauma cycle; and

WHEREAS, violence against children can be prevented by supporting and strengthening our community and making meaningful partnerships with our families, schools, and organizations, within the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and with the Town of Ignacio; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe is committed to child abuse education and supports and recognizes the importance of dedicating a month to prevent and to raise awareness of the impacts of child abuse.

NOW, THEREFORE, in recognition of the foregoing, the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council proclaims each month of April, from this day forward as, CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH for the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, and supports safe nurturing environments for our children to grow in. The Tribal Council encourages our community members to value the safety of our children and to give support to individuals and organizations providing services to our children and families.

The Division of Social Services invites the community and Tribal employees to demonstrate their support against child abuse for the month of April:

1. Pick up a pinwheel at the DSS office to show commitment against child abuse and hang in your office or on your lawn. In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. What our research showed, and what our experiences since then have reinforced, is that people respond positively to pinwheels, which represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness and our vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities.
2. Pick up a pin or keychain from DSS office to demonstrate HOPE for those who have survived child abuse.
3. Wear BLUE on Fridays to show your support against child abuse!
4. Participate in our annual CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS COLOR RUN, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Piinu Nuuchi Skate Park. Registration begins at 3:00 p.m., event starts at 4:00 p.m.

For pinwheels, keychains, and pins, please contact Tess at 563-2332 (attached are items DSS is giving away in April).

The Environmental Programs Department (EPD) will be temporarily closing the Pine River Hiking Trail from the Ute Road and Scott’s Pond trailheads from March 31 – April 30, 2025.

This project will restore and lengthen the existing trail, partially damaged by the June 3, 2022, Bear Dance Fire, by creating a loop along Ute Road where environmental remediation was recently completed.  The Cultural Preservation Department collaborated with EPD, and the project will include adding interpretive, educational signs about Ute culture, language, and wildlife.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. Please plan accordingly and respect all posted closures.

For more information, contact the Environmental Programs Department at (970) 563-2272 or mdorsk@southernute-nsn.gov.

The Annual Spring Clean Up will take place April 21-25, 2025.  Please see the attached flyer for information related to the Clean-Up and communication regarding designated pick-ups ­­­from tribal departments and/or tribal entities.  Please contact Mr. Tyson Thompson, Property and Facilities Director, at (970) 563-2945 for any questions or clarification needed related to the event.

Southern Ute Economic Development is seeking all vendors for the Piinu Nuuchi Farmers Market 2025 season.  This will be led by Southern Ute Economic Development Department, will serve as a small business accelerator for the Tribe and surrounding communities, as well as provide an accessible marketplace for local agriculture producers, artisans and other entrepreneurs.  

Please contact Allison Wall at awall@southernute-nsn.gov or 970.563.2281 to learn more about the Piinu Nuuchi Farmers Market.

The Southern Ute Gaming Commission and Division of Gaming would like to provide the official guidance related to Rule 3 – Charitable Raffles.  The purpose of this guidance is to assist charitable organizations in complying with the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Gaming Commission’s Rule 3 on Charitable Raffles and to describe the factors the Division will consider, based on the Commission’s Rule 3, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) guidance in determining whether an activity falls outside the realm of regulated charitable raffles.

If there are any questions related to the Rule 3 guidance and/ or the attached information, please contact Kenneth Clarke, Director at 563-2843 or Dustin Kaplan, Gaming Regulator at 563-2847.