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Community members joined the traditional New Years Day Prayer and Sobriety Walk hosted by the family of Robert Buckskin “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs” and Native Love.
Walkers leave the Veterans Memorial Park, led by members of the late Robert Buckskin “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs.” The annual walk celebrates the New Year with prayers and supports sobriety within the community.
Family members of the late Robert “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs” Buckskin lead the walkers from the Veterans Memorial Park north on HWY 172 on a five-mile prayer and sobriety walk.
Native Love President, Daisy Bluestar shares a smile during the prayer and sobriety walk. Bluestar helps organize the walk along with the Buckskin family.
Shielded by umbrellas, Miss Southern Ute, Zuriah Baker and cousin Lillian Valdez, trek along CR 516 towards Dry Creek, with other walkers.
Sibrya Larry leads the walkers down the hill towards Dry Creek. Sibrya is carrying her late grandfather’s staff, which has been carried on the annual New Year Walk throughout the years.
Native Love founder, Oolcu Buckskin and Daisy Bluestar walk south along CR 517. Buckskin is the daughter of the late Robert Buckskin “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs.”
Sinuuv Larry holds the staff of his late grandfather, Robert Buckskin “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs.” The Buckskin family has been holding the walk in his grandfather’s name.
Walkers, Rebecca Price, Neida Chackee and Lorelei Cloud, walk in stride towards the end of the annual sobriety and prayer walk. Chackee and Cloud are both active in community events, Cloud recently joined the Native Love Board of Directors.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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New Year Prayer & Sobriety Walk continues into ‘26

Friday - January 9, 2026 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

The New Year Prayer and Sobriety Walk set out to usher in 2026 under rainy conditions, which may have deterred others from joining the walk that has now become an annual tradition. The walk began in the early 2000’s, first led by and organized by the late Robert Buckskin, “Saa-Swanis Hiswaqs,” bringing in the new year – celebrating sobriety through prayer.

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