Home › Voices › Many Moons Ago
10 Years Ago: As the Utes have done for generations, they gathered May 27 – 30, 2011 at the Bear Dance Corral in Ignacio to welcome the spring and celebrate the coming of a new year. This year’s festivities were accompanied by a host of others, including a powwow, an art fair, a softball tournament, and a day to remember the brave warriors who have served their Tribe and country in the armed services. The events served as a reminder that as much as some things change, many others remain as they’ve been for ages – such as the Southern Utes’ vibrant spirit, the spirit of the bear.

Fri Jun 4th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: Eleanor Frost (left), Southern Ute tribal member and museum technician, assists Miss Southern Ute First Alternate Sage Rohde (center) and other Southern Ute Royalty members in cutting the ribbon to officially open the Southern Ute Community Center & Museum’s doors to the tribal membership during the “Circle of Life” dedication ceremony held in the courtyard on May 14, 2011. This photo was first published in the May 20, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri May 21st, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: Head dancers make their way into the arena, bringing out the Eagle Staff, as the Gathering of Nations Powwow returns to the University of New Mexico’s “Pit” for the 28th annual event from April 28 – 30, 2011 in Albuquerque, NM. The Gathering of Nations attracts tens of thousands of participants and spectators from around the world, including members from more than 500 tribes in the Unites States and Canada. This photo was first published in the May 6, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri May 7th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: Pearl E. Casias made history April 13, 2011, when she was sworn in as the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s chairwoman, becoming the first woman ever to take the reins and lead the Tribe. She quickly named Councilman Mike Olguin her vice chairman and Andrew Frost her executive officer. Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Gary Hayes was present to honor Casias with a blanket and be the first tribal leader to shake her hand as chairwoman. This photo was first published in the April 22, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Apr 23rd, 2021

Many Moons Ago

20 Years Ago: Austin Box, center, holds the Denver March Powwow Staff, leading the Veterans Color Guard from various tribes throughout the United States and Canada at the Denver March Powwow, held March 16-17, 2001 at the Denver Coliseum. This photo was published in the March 23, 2001, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Mar 26th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: The annual Southern Ute Health Services Kids Fair took place Friday, March 4 in the SunUte Community Center, receiving a “healthy” attendance of 213 kids and adults from tribal departments and schools. Health Services staffers gave students a chance to see the effects of unhealthy food firsthand, while the hands-on Wildlife exhibit showcased a stuffed turkey. While most of the booths were informational, SunUte and the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy gave the kids a few athletic challenges, included an obstacle course. This photo was first published in the March 11, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Mar 12th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: The Southern Ute Police Department volunteered some of its staff to help with the Reading Wednesdays afternoon activity at Ignacio Elementary School on Feb. 16, 2011. Reading Wednesdays is part of the Families in School program coordinated by the Pine River Community Learning Center for parents and family members. Officer John Schnelting reads aloud to a group of students while others in the school library listened to books read by participating parents like Agatha Bison. This photo was first published in the Feb. 25, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Feb 26th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: Southern Ute Royalty members braved the cold for this year’s Snowdown Light Parade the evening of Feb. 4, 2011 aboard a grand float that made its way down Main Avenue in Durango. The annual procession is the high point of the weeklong celebration, which encourages residents to come out and mingle despite the weather. Miss Southern Ute First Alternate Sage Rohde mixes in with the crowd as the floats are finalized and the excitement builds for the parade. This photo was first published in the Feb. 11, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Feb 12th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: The annual “Youth of the Year” brunch took place at the Multi-purpose Facility on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011. The fundraiser recognized community youth for their dedication and hard work within the Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Leader of the Year, Kree Lopez, hugs Sarah Valdez, the Billy Thomas Award recipient. This photo was first published in the Jan. 28, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Jan 29th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago – Ignacio drum group, 12 Gauge, sings during the New Year’s Celebration Powwow on Dec. 31, 2010 in the High School Gymnasium. This photo was first published in the Jan. 14, 2011, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Jan 15th, 2021

Many Moons Ago

20 Years Ago: Alice Red (left) Tribal Councilman Byron Red Sr. (center) and Tribal Councilwoman Pearl Casias volunteered their time to serve the meal at the annual Tribal Christmas Dinner. This photo was published in the Dec. 15, 2000, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Wed Dec 30th, 2020

Many Moons Ago

Wed Dec 30th, 2020

Gumbo, Dixie Beer, and Redfish

10 years ago: The air was filled with Christmas Spirit at the annual Taste of Christmas program held in the Elementary Auditorium on Dec. 3, 2010. The event hosted many vendors selling their Christmas goods. Santa also made a guest appearance as many a child shared their wishes with him. Pictured here with Santa is Keevin “KJ” Reynolds. This photo was first published in the Dec. 17, 2010, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Dec 18th, 2020

Many Moons Ago

30 years ago: “…And a Merry Christmas to all” was the title of this photo of students in the enrichment program. Students were excited to set up and sell various items in the Children’s Christmas Store set to open on Dec. 8, 1990. This photo was published in the Dec. 7, 1990, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Dec 4th, 2020

Many Moons Ago

10 Years Ago: Southern Ute tribal member and Vietnam War veteran Rod Grove (center) carries the flag of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe with fellow veterans during Durango’s annual Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11, 2010. This photo was published in the Nov. 19, 2010, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Fri Nov 20th, 2020

Many Moons Ago

Older Stories