Family continues New Year’s traditional walk
Friday - January 12, 2024 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Sinaav, Oolcu, O’hozhoni and Sibrya make their way east along CR 516 towards Dry Creek. Sinnav carries the staff his grandfather Saa-sawnia Hiswaqs carried on many walks.
Sinaav, Oolcu, O’hozhoni, Sibrya and Mamakwa gather prior to beginning the walk from the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Sinaav, O’hozhoni, Oolcu, and Sibrya begin the New Year's Day walk from the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park. Mamakwa Valdez followed in a support/safety vehicle.
Oolcu and her children walk towards the Ouary Cemetery along Bear Dance Road, nearing the completion of yet another New Year’s Day Spiritual Walk.
Grandchildren of the late Saa-sawnia Hiswaqs (Robert Buckskin) gather for a photo as they finish the New Year’s Day Walk at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery.
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
The family of the late Saa-sawnia Hiswaqs (Robert Buckskin) continue a family tradition that has spanned many years, with generations of family and community members, bringing in the New Year with a spiritual walk. On New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, Oolcu Buckskin, and her children, Sinaav, Sibrya and O’hozhoni Larry walked in honor of Saa-sawnia Hiswaqs as done for many years prior. Saa-sawnia began the walk in 1990, and continues in honor of “Buckskin,” who passed away in 2005.