Maykh,
My name is Maleina Carel and I’m currently the Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate
for 2022-2023.
I’m 15 years old and I’m currently in the 10th grade.
My maternal grandparents are Hardy Joy Sr. and the late Anna Weaver. My great grandparents on my paternal side are James Price Sr. and Linda Lopez of Towaoc, Colo. My paternal grandparents are the late Vernest and Marlene Carel. My parents are Marie Joy and Vern Carel.
I would like to share with you my quarterly report of my travels and the events that I have attended during my reign that started on March 31, 2023.
March – Hozhoni Days Powwow at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
April – Color Run 2023, Ute Day at the State Capitol in Denver, Child Abuse Awareness kick off, April Sip Chat & Chew, where I participated in the Tortilla Making Contest. The Southern Ute Royalty Bear Dance workshop. Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M., and the Nizhoni Days Powwow in Albuquerque, N.M.
May – Randlett Bear Dance in Randlett, Utah, Ft. Duchesne Bear Dance in Ft. Duchesne, Utah, White Rocks Bear Dance in White Rocks, Utah. Yellow Nose Warrior Indigenous Arts & Crafts Cultural and Educator event. Ute Mountain Ute 2023 Royalty Pageant. Southern Ute Bear Dance Kickoff meal. Southern Ute Bear Dance. Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (SUIMA) Transition Ceremony. Blessing at the Bear Dance grounds. Ute Mountain Ute Powwow and Bear Dance and the Ute Mountain Ute Gourd Dance.
June – Youth Conference Powwow in Dulce, N.M. Durango Rendezvous at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort. Jorja Taveapont outgoing Little Miss Ute (Recognizing the Youth) Powwow in Ft. Duchesne, Utah. Shoshone Reunion in Ft. Duchesne, Utah and the Northern Ute 4th of July Powwow Celebration in Ft. Duchesne, Utah. Father’s Day Rock Concert “Honoring our Fathers.” Durango Rendezvous Bike Week in the Rockies and welcome for the Veterans Charity Ride members ceremony at the Sky Ute Casino Resort.
July – Taos Pueblo Celebration Healing Powwow in Taos, N.M., and the San Ignacio Fiesta Parade in Ignacio.
August – Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference. Pino Nuche Indigenous Art Market and Juried Show, Russell Box Sr. reception and the Indigenous Fashion Show at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort. Ute Mountain Ute Casino Hotel Powwow in Towaoc, Colo.
I enjoyed meeting new people and traveling to different events. I learned a lot from my elders, and I have made many good friends. It has been an honor to represent the Southern Ute Tribe Indian Tribe, the membership, and my family.
Maleina J. Carel
Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate,
2022-2023