Maykh Puan! Greeting relatives near and far, 

My name is Zuriah Baker, and my Ute name is Suguh Ayov which means White Dove given to me by my maternal grandmother Carole Valdez. I am your current 2025-2026 Miss Southern Ute as well as the current Chairwomen of the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council. I am an enrolled member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and a descendant of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. I am 18 years old, and I attend Bayfield High School as a senior. My parents are Zachary Yesslith, Hailey Yesslith and Grant Baker. My paternal grandparents are Bonnie Baker and the late Bob Smith egap. My great paternal grandparents are the late Chris and Esther Baker egap. My maternal grandparents are Carole Valdez and the late Chandler Herrera egap. My great maternal grandparents are the late Slyvia Taylor Valdez egap and Shirley Esparza egap. 

 I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday! During the last couple of months following my crowning I have had the absolute honor and privilege of representing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. I have also had the privilege of attending many events during these months. I would like to share the following events with you. 

 

• Southern Ute Indian Tribal Fair: I was crowned during this event and started my reign. 

• Southern Ute Tribal Fair Rodeo: This was the first ever rodeo I attended.  I enjoyed watching all the categories, and I hope to attend many more.  

• Vigil Memorial Walk/Run: I participated in the walk as well and helped announce the raffle winners.  

• Public Speaking Class: I was invited to this event by the SCSYAC and learned how to be a better public speaker.  

• Etiquette Class: The SCSYAC invited me to a class where I learned about social and dinner table manners. 

• Boarding School Presentation: I gave a welcome speech as well as prayer for this event. It was very informative, and I thank Fabian Martinez for putting on this event. 

• Uncompahgre Powwow: I gave a welcome speech as well as participated in intertribals. 

• 25th Growth Fund Anniversary: It was wonderful to see everyone who has contributed to 25 years as well as the Tribe’s business partners. 

• Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner: I was invited by SMHW. I found this very informative. It was also a great pleasure to meet survivors of breast cancer. 

• Shiprock Fair and Powwow: I attended the Navajo Nations Fair Powwow and participated in Grand Entry as well as intertribals. 

• Sip Chat and Chew October: I helped serve food. It’s always a pleasure to see our Ute Mountain Ute relatives. 

• Helped host Jr Miss Pageant: I was the emcee for this event and helped crown the Jr misses with my fellow Miss Southern Ute Alternate. 

• Cowboy Parade: I walked in this event with my other royalty. It was an honor to be able to represent the Tribe.  

• Leandra Litz SCSYAC Inauguration: I attended the swearing in for Miss. Litz it was an honor to see her take this oath of office. 

• Dartmouth Indigenous Peoples Day Demonstration: I was so grateful to be able to represent the Tribe in the state of New Hampshire at Dartmouth College. The night before Indigenous Peoples Day, Native students visiting Dartmouth for the IFI fly-in program go to the “Green” and share stories and songs from back home, these stories represent tribes from all over the U.S., I gave a speech and wished everyone a Happy Indigenous Peoples Day.  

• 41 Annual Aises Powwow: I traveled to Colorado State University to attend this powwow where I gave a welcome speech and danced in intertribals. 

• Elders Association Sunrises: I was invited by the Elders Committee and participated in this blessing. I would like to thank the Committee for this invitation as well as those who prayed for us.  

• Juniper School Dance Demonstration: I gave a dance exhibition to the students of Juniper. It was amazing to see them so interested in our culture. 

• Veterans Celebration Breakfast: It was a great honor to be able to talk to our Veterans.  

• Ute Mountain Ute Council Inauguration: I would like to thank the outgoing council for their dedication and work to our sister tribe. I would like to congratulate the new council members.  

• Bayfield High School Veterans Day Breakfast: I invited the Southern Ute Veterans Association to breakfast at my school. I was so honored and happy when they arrived. During this I gave a speech that I prepared for this day.  

• MPF Veterans Day Breakfast: I attended this meal and thanked all of our veterans in our community for their service.  

• Veterans Powwow: I attended our community powwow and participated by dancing and giving speeches. I would like to take this time to thank the veterans who fought for my freedom for their service. I am very thankful that you are here with us today. May creator bless you and your family. I would also like to take a moment to mention those veterans who have passed on or who never came home. As well as families of veterans who support them. 

• Rock Your Mocs: It was so lovely to see the SUIMA students with their moccasins and shirts. I was the emcee for this event. 

• Tribal Thanksgiving Meal: I helped serve the food as well as giving a welcome speech. It was a wonderful event I would like to thank the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Casino for making this event possible. 

• Round Dance at Durango High School: I enjoyed dancing with the Durango community.  

• Rock Your Mocs Ignacio: Royalty was invited by Ignacio’s NAYO group to present our moccasins and what they mean to us. 

• SUIMA Dance Demonstration: Royalty gave a dance demonstration to the SUIMA students. All the students participated and were so kind, I enjoyed this event! 

• Pueblo Dancers Demonstration: I started with a welcome speech; it was an honor to be able to watch this dance.  

• Nuggets Halftime Show: This was a great honor to be able to dance at this event. I was so happy to see members of the Southern Ute Indian be able to dance as well. I would like to thank the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ignacio High School Basketball team for this opportunity.  

• Mercy Hospital Dance Demonstration: It was wonderful to be able to display our culture to the workers of the hospital. I was so thankful for this as well as their hospitality.  

• Ignacio Middle School Dance Demonstration: I was able to give a dance demonstration and speech. 

• Reading with Nuuuchiu: I enjoyed reading to the attendees and had a great time participating in educations events.  

• Fort Duchesne Thanksgiving Powwow: I had a great time attending this event. I was excited to be able to visit our sister tribe in Utah.  

 

I am so grateful to be able to hold this title, I look forward to 2026 and continuing my representation of the Southern Ute People, traditions, and culture! Thank you for your time. Have a great day! 

 

Zuriah K. Baker 

Miss Southern Ute  

2025-2026