The voters have spoken, and the people of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe have elected Tyson Thompson into Tribal Council following the recent runoff election Friday, Dec. 12. He begins his three-year term alongside newly elected council lady, Amy J. Barry, and re-elected chairman, Clement J. Frost.
Thompson was born in Ignacio, CO to parents, Tamianne Weage and William Thompson. All throughout his years, he has lived a life of construction. Growing up as a kid, he wanted to shape regulation in his principles with aspirations of being a police officer, he said.
Later, engineering became another vision that would allow him to build and design. Now with the position of Tribal councilman, Thompson holds ambitions to construct a meaningful connection with the Southern Ute community.
“My main goal is to provide overall happiness for the community,” he stated. “You’re not changing the world, but you’re making a difference for one person’s life, and that always makes a difference to me. I want to be there for whoever needs me to be there.”
Prior to being elected to council, Thompson worked in construction services for approximately thirteen years where community interaction was an every day thing. He adapted his management skills from supervisors and upper superiors, which would eventually lead him to becoming division head of construction services.
After ongoing work of providing care to the community, the idea of taking it further was always in the back of his head, he said. The ideas of how to serve his people were endless until running for Tribal Council became the prominent goal.
“Everyone is important. Everyone has to be taken care of,” he said. “I’m always excited to learn … that’s where I get the satisfaction in doing things for others. We have to think about our youth and elders. We must also not forget about the employees of the Tribe. What an amazing group of people we have. When you spend twelve years working with a group of people, they become your other family. I want to ensure they are taken care of as well.”
Thompson added that further inspiration in running for council came from late chairman, Jimmy R. Newton Jr.
“Jimmy was an inspiration to me,” Thompson said. “He was the one who told me to do it, and I took that to heart.”
In addition to helping his fellow community members, Thompson is also an avid fitness person. He spends productive time at SunUte Community Center, constructing a healthy and active mindset, he said.
“I want to bring a healthier attitude to the Tribe; get people to the gym, get people outside, be active. It puts your mind in a better place. I want to find that outreach and design something that would be beneficial for that.”
As opportunities for the Tribe continue to roll through, Thompson understands the long road of challenges that lie ahead.
“There will of course be bad days, but every day is a learning process. That’s why I’m here,” he said. “I really want to support the community and programs within the Tribe. I have that internal drive to help my people, and what better position to have for that.”
Thompson additionally wants to show thanks to those who supported him on his road to being elected.
“Thank you [voters] who showed their support. Voice your opinion. Become that voice. We will become stronger people because of that. A big thanks to my family and friends for saying I can do it. Youth, remember where you come from. Never forget who you are, and always be dreaming. Make them come alive and keep them amazing.”