Autumn Sage 

Maykh, 

My name is Autumn Rain Sage and I am the 2023-2024 Miss Southern Ute. 

My Ute name is Pachukwi (River Otter), I am 19 years old, and I graduated this year from Ignacio High School. My parents are Roger Sage Jr. and Lynnette Sage. My paternal grandparents are Roger Sage (Christine Baker Sage) and the late Vera Mae Cuthair. My maternal grandparents are the late Leonard C. Burch and the late Irene C. Burch. 

I am honored to be crowned Miss Southern Ute for 2023-2024 and representing the Southern Ute Tribe. I have been busy since my crowning at our 101st. annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair. I would like to update the Southern Ute Tribal community on the events and powwows I have attended. 

September 

Sept. 8-10 

• Crowned and began my reign as Miss Southern Ute at our 101 Southern Ute Tribal Fair held at the Sky Ute Fair Grounds.

Sept. 15-16 

• Attended the Southern Ute Tribal Fair: Rodeo

Sept. 29 

• Attended the N7 Fort Lewis Soccer game and participated in a Bear Dance presentation.

Sept. 30 

• Participated in the Durango Cowboy Parade.
• Attended the 18th annual Totah Drums of Fall Powwow in Aztec, N.M.

October 

Oct. 9 

• Attended the Indigenous Day Gourd Dance located in Towaoc, Colo.

Oct. 10 

• I took part in a Round Dance presentation demonstrated to the tribal children at the Southern Ute Montessori Academy.
• Attended the Wanbli Ota Social Dance located at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.

Oct. 20 

• Attended the doe field dressing held at the Southern Ute Montessori Academy.

Oct. 21-22 

• Attended the Red Canyon Powwow located in Moab, Utah.

Oct. 31 

• Participated in the Community Halloween Carnival at the Sky Ute Event Center.

November 

Nov. 2 

• Attended the Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner hosted by Shining Mountain Health and Wellness.

Nov. 3 

• Attended the Fort Lewis meet and greet with the FLC men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Nov. 4 

• Attended the FLC vs Haskell Native American Heritage Game at the Sun Ute Community Center.

Nov. 11 

• Attended the Veteran’s Day Powwow and helped serve food at the dinner.

Nov. 15 

• Attended the “Rock Your Mocs” event located in the Hall of Warriors in the LCB building.
• Participated in a Native American Heritage Dance performance at the Ignacio Middle School.
• Participated in Powwow Dance lessons at the Southern Ute Montessori Academy.

Nov. 16 

• Attended and participated in a Native American Heritage Dance performance at the Bayfield Primary School.

Nov. 17 

• Attended James M. Olguin’s last day reception.
• Participated in a Native American Heritage Presentation at Sunnyside Elementary.

Nov. 18 

• Attended the Southern Ute Tribal Thanksgiving Dinner.

Nov. 21 

• Participated in a Native American Heritage Month dance performance at Ignacio Middle School.

Nov. 23-24 

• Attended the Thanksgiving Powwow in Fort Duchesne, Utah.

Nov. 29 

• Showcase a dance presentation at the Southern Ute Montessori Academy for the Eagle Wing/FLC drum group.

This concludes my quarterly report this far into my reign. I enjoyed meeting and socializing with the community during these events. I would like to thank my family, friends, and the tribal membership for supporting me. I look forward to upcoming and future events and powwows. 

 Tog’oiak’ 

Autumn Sage 

Miss Southern Ute 

2023 – 2024