TRIBAL CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Adam Red

Greetings Tribal Membership,

My name is Adam Red, and I am running for Chairman in the 2026 Special Election. I believe effective leadership begins with listening, making informed decisions, and remaining accountable to the people we serve. The Chairman and Tribal Council are elected by, report to, and should be held accountable to the Membership.

Why did I decide to run for Chairman?

I have worked for more than 30 years with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. My experience includes Permanent Fund (Wildlife and Tribal Rangers), Growth Fund (Department of Energy), Tribal Council Member, and Internal Audit. My career has given me a unique understanding of the operations and functions of the tribal organization. My current work with Internal Audit has given me an opportunity to work on improving the governance, policy, and operations within all entities of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. I want to ensure the continued operation of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe with as little disruption as possible. My experience will allow me to step into the role quickly and maintain stability during the transition.

Although the remaining term is limited, meaningful progress can still be made.

Governance is the framework that determines who makes decisions, how decisions are made, and who is accountable for the results. One of my priorities would be to strengthen the foundation of our tribal government, beginning with the Executive Office.

The Constitution of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe provides the Chairman with responsibility for appointing and directing executive department personnel, subject to constitutional and council-established requirements. This responsibility highlights the importance of strong leadership and accountability within the Executive Office.

I have researched different governmental structures and practices that may help improve the effectiveness of our tribal government while maintaining accountability to Membership. Currently, I do not have any specific individuals in mind for Executive Officer positions. My focus is on ensuring the structure, leadership, and processes are in place to support effective governance.

During the remainder of the term, I would focus on:

• Strengthening governance and accountability
• Improving communication and transparency with Membership
• Maintaining organizational stability and continuity
• Promoting efficient and responsible management of tribal resources
• Preparing tribal government for long-term success

My entire career has been dedicated to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and our people. I have always listened to Membership without judgement. If you come to me with a question and I don’t have an answer for you, I will help you find that answer. I am open and objective with my decision making.

I respectfully ask for your support in the 2026 Special Election. Together, we can continue building a strong, accountable, and effective tribal government that serves Membership today and for future generations

Respectfully,

Adam Red

Byron Frost

Mique Pino Nuche

Tribal Sovereignty: The inherent right and authority for tribes to govern themselves this includes our traditional and cultural way of life.

My name is Byron Frost, my parents are Jack Frost (egap) and Annetta Frost (egap), my wife is Etta Frost, and I have two sons, Brian Frost and Aaron Frost (egap) and one daughter Deanna Frost (egap). I am the guardian of two grandsons, Richard Jack Joseph and Ivan Bent Joseph.

As we all know Chairman Baker has resigned, the Constitution of the Southern Ute Tribe Article V- Vacancies, Removal and Recall States

Section 4. Resignation. “The chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe or any member of the tribal council may, at any time, resign from the office to which he was elected by submitting a written resignation to the tribal council.”

Section 5. Filling Vacancies. “Any vacancy in the membership of the tribal council, resulting from any cause, shall be filled:”

(a) By a tribal member who meets the qualifications for that office, appointed by the chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and confirmed by a vote of not less than four (4) council members if the term of the vacant office is due to expire within six (6) months following the date upon which it becomes vacant; or

(b) At a special election to be called and held at the direction of the tribal council within sixty (60) days following the date upon which it becomes vacant if the term of the vacant office has longer than six (6) months to run. Procedures and regulations to govern such special election shall be embodied in the election ordinance.

Because of the chairman’s resignation I have decided to run for the vacant chairman position. I have considerable experience and knowledge with the tribal and federal government policies and procedures that governs the structure of our tribal government. Today our tribal codes are being revised and I feel more communication with the tribal members is very important as the revision of the codes will certainly affect how we get approved for use of our natural resources, housing, hunting, farming etc.

I offer no big changes as the tenure of being a chairman is only for four months. I do think reviewing the administration new employee’s management is a must especially upper management employees, guiding them in our cultural and tradition can help them better serve our membership. Both the tribal government and casino upper management have experience big turn overs. Our casino’s goal should be to produce revenue and have a strategy to meet that objective. It is my duty if elected chairman to review the vision of the Casino Manager and see what innovative changes he has in mind to meet the revenue objective. I also believe service from the tribal administration needs to be review and communicated to the employees as a reminder “service to the tribal membership is important.”

Tribal administration must be cognizant that we also have tribal membership that live off the reservation and all services and that we receive on the reservation should be offered to them also. We have tribal members that haven’t move up the ladder in their employment field, practical experience is just as good as having a degree, especially in the tribal administration side. If elected chairman I will review the job description for some position.

My background: I have my education in Civil Engineering, college credits in Business degree through University of Phoenix, Math credits through Grays Harbor Community College. I was employed with the Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for approximately 20 years as the Supervisor of the Roads Engineering Department, I was employed as the Lands Division Head, Department of Natural Resources Southern Ute Department. I purchase properties for the Land Consolidation program with a multi-million budget. I review all tribal and allotment boundaries within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Tribe to make sure there were no encroachment from fee landowners. I reviewed all projects to make sure they are in NEPA compliance on federal lands. I am the Chairman of the Elders Committee, Chairman of the Gaming Commission, Chairman of the Native American Parent Advisory Committee for the Ignacio School District, I own my business which gives me the insight of analyzing the business ventures of the Growth Fund. On the cultural and traditional side, I have been the Sun Dance Chief for our tribe for 15 years and maintain our spiritual belief in our ceremonies. I am also a rancher and take of my ranch and cattle and horses.

I possess a deep appreciation for the culture and tradition, and values of the Southern Ute Tribe and recognize the importance of preserving the tribal sovereignty, promoting economic development, and ensuring long term success and vision of the tribal government and tribal members. I assure you that I will make decisions that will benefit all tribal members and tribal resources.

When: Election date July, 10, 2026,

Where: 285 Lakin Street, Ignacio, Colo.

Thank you, Pino Nuchu,

I ask for your vote on July 10, 2026.

Byron Frost

Corliss Taylor

Maykh (Hello)

My name is Corliss May Taylor, and I am a  candidate for Southern Ute Chairman in the Special Election for the remaining five months left in former chairman Melvin Baker’s three-year term. My purpose is to continue with the quality of services and benefits to the Tribal membership. I believe in communication from and to our people. That being said, I will allow tribal members to speak freely and ask questions at our scheduled general meetings. I plan to continue to guide the Tribal Government as smoothly as possible on behalf of both the Tribal membership and the organization along with the assistance and cooperation of the remaining leadership. Most importantly I will follow the tribal constitution, oath of office, financial plan and other policies that govern the tribe with the understanding they can be amended or changed for the benefit of the tribal membership. I humbly say my knowledge and experiences comes from the following:

• I was born and raised here. My home and employment has always been on So Ute reservation.
• I am familiar with the Tribal membership, culture, tribal organization, and the local community
• I have approximately 34 plus years of employment with the Veterans Administration, BIA, IHS and the Southern Ute Tribe.
• I was elected to Tribal Council in 1997-2000 and at various times served as acting chairman and for one year as treasurer.
• After retirement in 2014, I continued to assist Southern Ute Tribe as acting Culture Director twice, and acting Museum Director once.
• I have volunteer for 3 decades on the Southern Ute Powwow Committee, and with the help of the entire committee ensured a successful powwow each year.
• I have also served as a member of the Royalty committee providing guidance and direction.
• I am dedicated to strengthening the Tribe now and for future generations.

Tuvuch Toghoyak

Corliss May Taylor

Renee J. Cloud

Greetings Southern Ute Members,

On July 10th, 2026, “choices will be made” to fulfill this interim position; I Renee J Cloud seek this Chairmanship. This is an opportunity for me to become a more pro-active in our Tribal Government, as I have always been vocal in our Tribal affairs during tribal meetings. My knowledge and interest of serving in this important Leadership capacity is important. Further, understanding the role of elected officials and understanding the Tribal Constitution is our “strength” to be successful.

First, I support our Tribal Cultures i.e., Bear dance & Sundance; I am a Ute/Elder and also have knowledge of our Ute History. Secondly, I support our Successful Business ventures in Energy Development and any other Business Ventures for the Benefit of the Tribe and Tribal Membership.

However, although we are successful in what we do -we still have internal issues of concerns, which I will highlight in the following.

Tribal members are unable to get employed; my review of the employment sector suggest there is “Contract Hiring” going on in several departments. Contract hiring allows outside interest to be hired with disregard to department policies and mission statements specialized work force takes the place of Tribal Members employment hiring.

(If I am elected Contract hiring stops, because it erodes our Tribal Sovereignty and then tribal members can be hired into jobs of their choice. I will also review The Tribes Employment Policy and department mission statement to see if they are in compliance with providing service for the Tribal membership).

Tribal Health. The health policy is written and difficult to understand what exactly it implies. Further, Tribal Health Policy does not reach or cover tribal members who live off the reservation due to the network system; tribal health card is not recognized or accepted for medical care;

(If I am elected, I will hire/appoint a Tribal Member who will researched/develop a plan that will research off reservation Membership. There needs to be dialogue with members who experience lack of medical services by different Health Centers; this will be a paid positon).

Land – We have tribal lands that can be assigned upon request through submission of proper application procedures by our younger generation – they can learn how to be farmers and Ranchers. A new Land policy has been written. Have you received this? There are questions who is to enforce the restrictive land policy?

(If I am elected, I will request review of this new land code-it seems to have issues not covered within the code, and it has never been renewed by the Tribal membership. I will also request the Lands department to contact Tribal Members who have an interest in obtaining a land assignment. Also, I will request Custom Farm department review its policy so that land assignees can obtain funding to improve their land assignment cross the board and not be selective on who is assisted).

Tribal Loan – A new policy has been written. Within it states: “any non-tribal person can obtain a tribal loan despite any relationship with a tribal member. How does this sets well with you? I ask when most of us cannot get a tribal home loan due to policy changes and housing policy changes. Is this a fair business practice?

(If I am elected, I will ask that this policy be reviewed /changed that reflects needs for tribal membership only).

Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Tribal Court use Colorado Law instead of applying our Tribal Code. This erodes our Tribal Sovereignty and our Tribal Court system. The Tribe’s judicial system is under the umbrella of the Southern Tribe and Membership. We are a Sovereign Tribe we have our own Tribal Court and Tribal Codes which should only be reviewed and revised only on need basis, and it should not be written according to Colorado Law.

(If I am elected, I will make sure the DOJ and Tribal Court follow the procedures set forth in our Tribal Code and Constitution; Tribal Council has the oversight over the Judicial System that seems to be ignored, and also stop this “runaway” re-writing our Tribal code system that is ongoing, further I will review all Attorney Contracts to better serve the Southern Ute Tribal membership).

Tribal Enrollment – There are people on our Tribal rolls who do not meet the required Ute blood degree likewise there are people who could qualify to be enrolled, plus other important enrollment factors

(If I am elected my plan is to “appoint and establish an Enrollment Department to research and clarify the Tribal Enrollment status. This will be a paid department and create a system to assist decedents of enrolled members to get medical care).

In conclusion these are my “key” issues and doing so I will “appoint” an Executive Officer who has my same interest to assist in establishing a government that works for the membership.

To be honest I may not be your choice; I’m running against candidates with big families with many friends within the Southern Ute Tribe. When this happens, there is the appearance of conflict of interest, and the Tribe cannot move forwards as we should in our government.

If I am elected, I do not have this problem, as I will always be fair and provide equal opportunity for our Tribal membership. At any rate I will always be interested in our Tribal Government and Operations, because we have a younger generation that depends on how we make decisions today, tomorrow and for the future to benefit all of us.

So much to be stated. If I am elected, I will do all I can with what I learned as a Tribal Employee in my work experience; as a former Tribal Councilor, and offer my educational knowledge, as well. I respectfully ask that YOU be part of the “solution” and VOTE RENEE J. CLOUD on JULY 10, 2026, together we can make needed changes.

Thank you for reading this.

Renee J. Cloud

 Christine Sage