Posts by Robert L. Ortiz

Twenty-two Ignacio High School students received their diplomas on the Ignacio High School Sports Field before friends, family and loved ones. The grandstands were packed – a stark contrast to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mon Jun 6th, 2022

Bobcat’s Commencement Ceremonial

Southern Ute tribal departments hosted the “End of School Year Bash” for all students, their families and friends, at the Piinu Nuuchi Skatepark, Saturday, May 21. SunUte Front Desk attendant Margaret Manzanares seems pleased with her cotton candy creation, while SunUte Recreation Coordinator, Bird Red and Southern Ute Museum Director, Susan Cimburek handle snowcone duties.

Sun Jun 5th, 2022

Ending school year with a BASH!

Ignacio Elementary first graders lead the the second grade class, during the March of Champions, as they make their way around the Ignacio Sports Field to begin Field Day.

Sun Jun 5th, 2022

Fields of fun for students

Southern Ute Veterans Association Commander, Howard Richards Sr., stands aside Ute Mountain Ute Veteran, elder and spiritual leader, Terry Knight, prior to Knight giving the invocation at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery.

Fri Jun 3rd, 2022

Memorial Day: Honoring the fallen soldiers

Aeden Valdez-Baker added his own touches to the “Rise Above” mural that adorns the wall in the new Behavioral Health building. He was one of many youths who helped paint the mural with help from graphic artist Jonathan Judge, Director of Media and Campaigns for Rise Above Colorado.

Fri May 20th, 2022

Behavioral Health now has space for growth

Southern Ute tribal members, Southern Ute Tribal Council members, and community members were joined by the Nahui Ollin Spiritual runners from Denver, Colo. in a walk supporting Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives.

Fri May 20th, 2022

Walking In Support of MMIR

Playing for the Ignacio Hitmen, Joe Howell keeps his eye on the ball before sending it for a ride into the in-field, during first day of 10U youth baseball action on the Lawrence Bartley Baseball field in Ignacio, Saturday, April 30 against Bayfield. Ignacio defeated Bayfield 8-5. This year, the Ignacio teams are in the Durango Youth Baseball League, and will play teams from Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa and Mancos.

Fri May 6th, 2022

Youth swing into new season

Fri May 6th, 2022

Attention Graduating Seniors

An honoring was done for Twyla Blackbird, daughter of Russell Blackbird (left). Standing beside Twyla are Gourd Dance MC – Afrem Wall, Nathan Strong Elk, and Head Boy Dancer – Stoney White Thunder.

Fri Apr 22nd, 2022

Benefit Gourd Dance rocks SunUte

The Golden High School students kick up their heels outside the KSUT Eddie Box Jr. Media Center, after live in-studio interviews by REZ-olution Radio Hour host Robert Ortiz. KSUT Tribal Radio Station Manager, Sheila Nanaeto, flanked by Tribal Radio Music Director, Lorena Richards discusses the origins of KSUT from the KSUT performance studio in the newly opened Eddie Box Jr. Media Center.

Fri Apr 22nd, 2022

Students pay a Golden visit with Tribe

The group known as Gangstagrass brought their unique flavor of hip-hop and bluegrass to the KSUT Eddie Box Jr. Media Center performance studio, Friday, April 1. Gangstagrass combines the improvisational virtues of both hip-hop and bluegrass into energetic, genre-busting performances. “There are a lot more people out there with Jay-Z and Johnny Cash on their playlists than you think,” says Gangstagrass Mastermind Rench.

Fri Apr 8th, 2022

Gangstagrass brings it to KSUT

20 Years Ago: On March 26, 2002, Tim Ryder led a drum making workshop for Ignacio youth at the Southern Ute Cultural Center. It was part of a week-long series of activities entitled “Beads, Looms and Feathers.” Pictured is Tim Ryder and Victor (Bear) Frost explaining to participants how to make mini drums.
This photo was published in the April 5, 1982, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Apr 8th, 2022

Many Moons Ago

KSUT Tribal Radio Station Manager, Sheila Nanaeto speaks with KSUT Freelance Reporter, Sarah Flower during a live in-studio interview on Thursday, March 17. During the interview, Flower spoke of a recent report that was released about the Uranium mill in Southwest Utah, an unregulated radioactive waste site, close to the White Mesa area that impacts air and water quality for the Ute Mountain Ute community and others. In the radio broadcast report produced by Flower, Ute Mountain Ute tribal member Regina Lopez spoke of how when visiting her grandmother or relatives in the areas adjacent to the mill they request bringing drinking water.

Fri Mar 25th, 2022

Celebrating women at KSUT

Ignacio’s Avaleena Nanaeto (35) speeds around 3A Montezuma-Cortez’s Taiah Wilson (32) on a drive into the paint during non-league action Wed., Feb. 16, at M-CHS. Coming off a 17-point performance in the previous night’s road win at non-league 2A Del Norte, Nanaeto netted 11 points but the Lady Bobcats fell 66-64 in overtime.

Thu Feb 24th, 2022

Ignacio girls accelerate into the playoffs

A virtual “Jamboard” was created for those in the first of six strategic planning meetings hosted by the Ignacio School District, Monday, Jan. 24. The jamboard was filled with words for potential inclusion in the new Mission Statement being created for the district.

Fri Jan 28th, 2022

Ignacio School District creates proposed Strategic Plan