Pawaaghani po’okwatu – Eagle’s Nest

Friday - October 31, 2025 by Mari Jo Owens | Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy

Students from SUIMA’s lower elementary one classroom graphed their reading. Bryan Howe, Bianca Weaver, Zhavia Albo, and Jinora Mills show their incentive for logging the most minutes spent reading.
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA

Halloween is here!

Fishing Club is going well, with three separate groups attending Mon., Tues., and Wed., the students are always eager to attend! With the guidance of staff member, Jared Ruybal, most of the elementary students are participating. The club goes to Scott’s Pond every day when the weather permits. Thank you to the Boys and Girls Club for the use of their van to transport the students to and from the pond.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the elementary students dressed warmly as they rode the school bus to the Tribe’s bison pasture. The students helped the bison on its path as they joined in the sunrise blessing and farewell. Many parents joined us for the cold, brisk morning.

When asked what they thought about the blessing, honoring and field dressing, some of our students had these comments:

  • Lilah said, “Helping my stepmother run the fire. I gave her more wood to throw in the fire. “
  • Navarro said,” Skinning the bison. How they shot the little bison.”
  • Dean said, “I liked the horns.”
  • Cash said, “I like skinning the buffalo because I did that before.  I want to skin the buffalo when I get bigger.”
  • Teacher Aide, Meagan, said, “I enjoyed the early morning sunrise and prayed for honoring the life itself for us. Witnessing a cultural event together as a school that our young generation will carry throughout their lives and to practice prayer as well. It was a respectful, eventful day for the children to see how the circle of life is lived.”

Our talented students, with the help of Stillwater Music out of Durango, have been practicing some songs for the Tribal Christmas Program. The elementary students participate in weekly lessons, learning about acoustic guitars, drumming, and various instruments. The classrooms have been challenging the students to read more at home and in school by tracking their minutes. In a two-to-three-week span, one of the students recorded 320 minutes of reading. But no matter the amount, all the students were winners.

Reminder

The cold and flu season has arrived. Please check that your child is up to date with their immunizations and consider a flu vaccination of nasal spray.

School Board information

The School Board is currently accepting letters of intent to fill one position on the Board. If you think you’d like to join a group of energetic members who use the school’s mission and vision statements to help guide the school, please submit your letter to SUIMA by Friday, Nov. 7.

Nuu’apaghapi – Ute phrases and sentences

  • ‘aghara’aqh turavach? How is the weather?
  • Tavinikya’aqh. It’s sunny.
  • Tari’i’aqh. It’s hot.
  • ‘uwayaqh. It’s raining.
  • ‘uwati’aqh. It’s cloudy.
  • tuu’ayaqh’umuy puchuchugway – It is good to know you.
  • ‘ipua ‘umu punikyaqha? – What did you see?
  • Nu’ nuu apag’vach asti’i – I want to learn how to speak Ute.

Upcoming SUIMA events

  • Nov. 5: Picture retakes
  • Nov. 6: School assembly – It’s magic!
  • Nov. 10-11: No School – Veterans Day
  • Nov. 13: Health Fair
  • Nov. 20: Annual Thanksgiving meal
  • Nov. 21: Field dressing
  • Nov. 24-28: No School – Thanksgiving
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