Jimmy Newton Jr. memorialized in youth conference
The Southern Ute Education Department hosted the annual Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference and Camp Sasquatch on Monday, July 27 at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, Event Center. Youth Employment participants and committee youth gathered together for a variety of leadership themed breakout sessions, motivational speeches, healthy cooking lessons, vendors and more. The Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference gives Indigenous youth the opportunity to work with leaders within the Southern Ute Indian Tribe organization and beyond, inspiring them to prioritize education, health, and to step into leadership roles in their future.
The conference is held each year in the memory of the late Southern Ute Tribal Chairman, Jimmy Newton Jr. who passed on during his term in the year of 2014. Chairman Newton is remembered for his love for children, community, and culture – the event continues his efforts in encouraging all to pursue their education and support for all children. This year, attendees enjoyed cultural presentations, leadership workshops, healthy recipes and cooking lessons, motivational speech from guest speaker Jake Danielson, free swag bags, and two free meals.
The event kicked off with breakfast and greetings from members of the Southern Ute Tribal Council, the Southern Ute Education Acting Director Michael Kirsch, Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council, and Southern Ute Royalty. Following introductions and invocation, the youth took time to hear from guest speaker Jake Danielson, hailing from the Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D.
Guest speaker Jake Danielson is a TEDx Speaker, he delivers an engaging, story-driven keynote that equips students with practical tools for leadership, resilience, and mental wellness. Danielson is the creator of We Can Do Anything Program and during his time spent with the conference participants he shared how to build emotional resilience, practice healthy vulnerability, tips to develop consistent self-care habits, overcoming obstacles, and how to lead themselves and others with intention and purpose.
During his speech, he shared “I talk about being a leader all of the time – being a leader is not making Times Magazine or winning a national championship or even doing something that seems to change our world,” Danielson said. “It’s being willing to take ten seconds out of your day to say something nice about someone, to make someone feel valued – that alone has the power to change the world for someone else. So if you are willing to take what you have learned today, you have the power to lead and change lives.”
Following the keynote, Danielson shared gratitude to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for being hospitable while on his journey to reach his personal goal of impacting 10,000 students. Danielson kicked off his goal at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, speaking to 47 attendees of the Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference.
“I was able to tour the Southern Ute Education Department and the [Sky Ute Casino Resort], everyone has been so welcoming it’s been great – my goal has always been to come to schools or organizations and hopefully share tools that will help young people take good care of themselves. I didn’t realize how much impact speech can leave on people until I was pushed to try it and began having conversations following my talks to people.” Danielson said. “I know it may sound corny but things do get better and I want people to know that they get better with intention – even though it may feel uncomfortable to take accountability, use the tools you are given and it will give you power to take control back and allows us to make things better.”
Conference attendees engaged in multiple breakout sessions ahead of the lunch hour. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from Southern Ute Behavioral Health, engage in Ute Language with Southern Ute tribal member, Shawna Steffler, or learn about Female Coming of Age with Southern Ute tribal elder, Cassandra Atencio.
Later on, the breakout sessions continued; SunUte Community Center hosted a group exercise class, Southern Ute Food Distribution and Shining Mountain Health & Wellness hosted a Healthy Snacks lesson, and a work session with Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) staff and Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) staff.
The Southern Ute Education Department along with many tribal departments and divisions, work together each year to bring Indigenous students together to understand leadership, prioritize healthy lifestyles, and gain inspiration to further their educational endeavors – all while remembering a beloved member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the late Chairman Jimmy Newton Jr., who’s impact will continue to grow for generations to come.