Posts by Robert L. Ortiz

Members of the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council (SCSYAC) join the Southern Ute Tribal Council for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new skatepark at SunUte park. SCSYAC members: Elijah Weaver, Nate and Elliot Hendren and Lexy Young join Southern Ute Chairman Christine Sage and Councilman Cedric Chavez, to hold ceremonial golden shovels on the site of the new skatepark. Chairman Sage and Councilman Chavez offered words of praise and support during the groundbreaking ceremony, Friday, June 26.

Thu Jul 2nd, 2020

Skatepark officially breaks ground

With crucial infrastructure already in place, Weeminuche Construction Authority, out of Towaoc, Colo., prep utility access for the new skate park, Wednesday, June 17.

Fri Jun 19th, 2020

Skatepark breaks ground at SunUte

Members of the Southern Ute Veterans Association: Howard Richards Sr., Rod Grove, Rudley Weaver, Bruce LeClaire, Raymond Baker and Gordon Hammond assemble in front of the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park after the Memorial Day ceremonies. The ceremonies were scaled back due to Coronavirus Protocol.

Fri Jun 5th, 2020

Memorial Day: Recognition carries on

Symbolically flashing a peace sign, Christina Herrera leaves the Ignacio School parking lot for the last time as a Senior Bobcat.

Fri Jun 5th, 2020

A graduation like no other

Rudley Weaver and Bruce LeClaire unfold the new Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag as Raymond Baker holds the flag ties in preparation to raise the POW/MIA flag.

Fri May 22nd, 2020

Changing of the colors

Warren Whyte, Mrs. Pepper’s student, rides in the graduation parade through the Ignacio Elementary parking lot. Parents Sunshine and Terrance, joined other parents in decorating their student’s cars, in the middle school parking lot.

Fri May 22nd, 2020

Kinders level up to first grade!

Fri May 22nd, 2020

State distributes first allocation of experimental anti-viral treatment

Dancing Spirit Arts Center in collaboration with Pine River Shares (PRS) has included art kits in each of the meal boxes handed out by PRS at the Ignacio High School on Tuesdays. “Kids are being impacted by this epidemic, they need a creative outlet,” said Kasey Correia. Dancing Spirit is asking for donations of glue, crayons, chalk, etc. to keep providing the art kits. “Art is therapeutic,” expressed Correia.

Fri May 8th, 2020

Expressions through art

Sat Mar 28th, 2020

About NAIG 2020

Sat Mar 28th, 2020

Los Pinos Fire District cancels Mill Levy election

A successful first weekend of the CAHA State Championship Series is in the books with the completion of the Avalanche Cup. Thirteen division champions were crowned as 132 teams from across the state descended on Colorado’s premier hockey venues for the three-day event held March 6-8. The Durango Steamers took the Avalanche Cup Championship in the 12U Division, defeating Hylands Panthers 3-2 in the Sports Stable in Superior, Colo., Sunday, March 8.

Fri Mar 13th, 2020

Steamers take Aves Cup

Southern Ute Councilman Bruce Valdez visits with Harold Millich and Lillian Seibel during the monthly Elder Celebration Dinner.

Fri Mar 13th, 2020

Elders celebration

20 years ago: People from across the country gathered in Colorado Springs on January 13, 2000 to help the Native American Sports Council honor Jim Thorpe. Among the celebrants (left to right) were Southern Ute Tribal Councilman Byron Red Sr., Billy Mills (10K Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Councilman Dewitte Baker, and Ross Anderson (Professional Speed Skier).
This photo first appeared in the Feb. 11, 2000, edition of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Feb 14th, 2020

Many Moons Ago

The dance floor was jumpin’, as dancers did the ‘Cupid Shuffle,’ following a dinner provided by REZ-Girls Catering.

Fri Jan 31st, 2020

SWRY celebrates first year!

The Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe had their annual retreat at the Double Tree Hotel in Durango on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Fri Jan 31st, 2020

BGC staff retreat