Walking together for healthier nations

The U.S. flags bookend the different flags of the Ute and the Dine tribes

Southern Ute elder Roy O’John and wife Vera

Southern Ute veteran Dewitte Baker carries the Southern Ute tribal flag

Even the younger generations participated in the walk

Tribal flags of the Ute tribes lead the way

Support staff of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes bring up the rear

Brandon Johnson walks with Henry Sun Eagle

The group from Aneth Utah join the Colorado group

The Ute Mountain Ute Indian tribe did a Bear Dance presentation

The U.S. flags bookend the different flags of the Ute and the Dine tribes as they walk together into the Four Corners Monument to end the Walking Together for Healthier Nations event.

Catching Eagle sings a flag song as the Ute Mountain Ute Color Guard raises the colors at dawn prior to the walk.

Walking towards the western horizon, the Four Corners Monument awaits, 19 miles away.

Southern Ute elder Roy O’John and wife Vera approach the first rest stop after 3 miles.

Southern Ute veteran Dewitte Baker carries the Southern Ute tribal flag to lead the group. Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Gary Hayes and Councilman Manual Heart also participated in the walk.

Walkers take a much needed rest break at the six mile mark.

Students from Newcomb, NM are eager to join the walk.

Even the younger generations participated in the walk, even bringing the family pet to join in.

Tribal flags of the Ute tribes lead the way, and set the pace of the walkers.

Support staff of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes bring up the rear, providing support and medical assistance if needed.

Southern Ute tribal member David Boyd gives a thumbs-up while his mother, Neida Chackee registers.

Brandon Johnson walks with Henry Sun Eagle of the Shining Mountain Diabetes Program.

The group from Aneth Utah walked 19 miles to join the Colorado group for lunch at the junction of Highways 162 and 160.

The Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe gave a Bear Dance presentation, under overcast skies, at the Four Corners Monument to conclude another year of the walk.

Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Thumbnail image of The U.S. flags bookend the different flags of the Ute and the Dine tribes

Thumbnail image of Catching Eagle sings a flag song

Thumbnail image of Walking towards the western horizon

Thumbnail image of Southern Ute elder Roy O’John and wife Vera

Thumbnail image of Southern Ute veteran Dewitte Baker carries the Southern Ute tribal flag

Thumbnail image of Walkers take a much needed rest break

Thumbnail image of Students from Newcomb

Thumbnail image of Even the younger generations participated in the walk

Thumbnail image of Tribal flags of the Ute tribes lead the way

Thumbnail image of Support staff of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes bring up the rear

Thumbnail image of David Boyd gives a thumbs-up

Thumbnail image of Brandon Johnson walks with Henry Sun Eagle

Thumbnail image of The group from Aneth Utah join the Colorado group

Thumbnail image of The Ute Mountain Ute Indian tribe did a Bear Dance presentation

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Fri May 17th, 2013 , by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Diabetes is the No. 1 health concern in Indian Country. On Friday, April 10 the Southern Ute, Northern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes joined forces with the Navajo Nation to battle diabetes and other health issues by walking together to the Four Corners Monument.

Walking together for healthier nations

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