Healing Spirits: Walking for those we lost
Friday - February 26, 2016 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Walking along Buck Highway (HWY 521) on Saturday, Feb 20, walkers making their way back to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park. The 4-mile Memorial Walk, had 40 participants who wore hearts with names of loved ones lost to alcohol or drugs.
The Valentine’s Memorial Walk had approximately 40 participants, who walked almost four miles – beginning and ending at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Esther Belin, Intake and Aftercare Coordinator at Peaceful Spirit, hands out hearts to those participating in the memorial walk. Names were written on the hearts of the loved ones lost to addictions.
Two- and four-legged alike, walked together on a four-mile memorial walk, leaving from the Veterans Memorial Park. Gary Archie and his dogs, Sadie and Sam enjoy the walk.
Walkers of every age participated in the memorial walk. Four-year-old Makenna Tso, gets a short break as her mother, Shawmarie Tso gives her a lift. Maria Gonzalez, employee of the 9-R Durango High School walks along side Tso of the Southern Ute Shining Mountain Health and Wellness program.
Eight-year-old, Angelo Frost, looks back towards the walkers on Buck Highway (HWY 521), as he and others head over the Bear Dance bridge along Ute Road. The walk took participants around the SunUte Community fields and the End Of The Trail road, and back to Veterans Memorial Park where the walk began.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
The Healing Spirits after-care program of Peaceful Spirit, hosted a Memorial Walk on Saturday, Feb. 20 in remembrance of loved ones lost to addictions. The Healing Spirits program wants to do a memorial walk every month, and are looking for individuals and/or families to come forward to sponsor a memorial walk. On March 19, Daisy Bluestar will host a walk in remembrance of her mother, Audrey Frost-Nissen, and on May 21, Shawmarie Tso, will host a walk in memory of her daughter Leah Tsosie. Contact Esther Belin at Peaceful Spirit for further information, or if you would like to host a memorial walk, at 970-563-4555.