A very ‘Golden’ visit

Friday - April 17, 2015 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Golden High School made it's annual visit to the Southern Ute Tribe, making Ignacio their first stop, during their two-week Southwest Cultural Studies trip.

The Southern Ute Tribal Council members, Chairman Clement Frost, Amy Barry and Alex Cloud, although on Spring Break, welcomed the students to the Southern Ute reservation.

The Golden High School students shake hands after they visited Tribal Council members, Chairman Clement J. Frost, Council lady Amy Barry and Councilman Alex Cloud in Council Chambers, Thursday, April 2.

Southern Ute Royalty members, Miss Southern Ute Ellie Seibel and Little Miss Southern Ute Tauri Raines took time to speak with the students and pose for a group photo during their visit with the Southern Ute Culture Department. They watched “The Original Coloradoans” a video about the Utes of Colorado and a presentation from NAGPRA Coordinator Alden Naranjo.

The students enjoyed The Southern Ute Drum archives of past issues and listened as the Drum staff spoke of their various job duties at the Drum. The Public Relations Department provided lunch.

Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Superintendent Carol Baker Olguin spoke to the students in the Culture Room of the Academy. She spoke of the language department as well as the culture and traditions the academy instills into the students from a very young age.

The students enjoyed the varying levels of education and furniture sizes during their tour of the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy,

KSUT was a favorite stop during their tour; a few were lucky enough to be on the air with Lorena Richards during her afternoon show. Coincidentally, Elephant Revival made an appearance in the KSUT studio and obliged to take a photo with the students.

A chance encounter, and a coincidental meeting brought together the Golden students and the band, Elephant Revival at the KSUT radio station. Elephant Revival were playing in-studio at the time of the students visit to the station.

Ann McGaw of the Sky Ute Casino Resort Human Resources Department gave the students a tour of the casino. The tour showcased the hotel, pool, events center, the gaming floor and bingo hall.

SunUte Recreation Director, Robin Duffy-Wirth gave a guided tour of the SunUte Community Center. She spoke of the center as a gathering place for Ignacio and surrounding communities and the positive impact it has had here.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Senior students of Golden High School from Golden, Colo., paid the Southern Ute Indian Tribe a visit, March 31 through April 3, making Ignacio their first stop on a two-week southwest cultural studies trip as part of their Senior Seminar. The 26 students and four sponsors are self-sufficient, camping and preparing their own food along the way. This is the fifth year the Senior Seminar paid a visit to the tribe. They visited various departments within the Southern Ute Tribe, participated in a first-time sweat with Eddie and Betty Box, and camped over-night at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds.