Tribes of the Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute, White Mesa, Southern Ute and community members from the states of Ariz., Colo., N.M., and Utah, comprising the Four Corners States, met at the entrance to the Four Corners National Monument on Friday, May 5. Participants circled the national monument prior to the closing ceremonies during the annual Walking Together For Healthier Nations.
The Ute Mountain Ute drum group sing a song as the flags are raised by the Ute Mountain Ute Casino Color Guard.
The Ute Mountain Ute Casino Color Guard raise the flags to begin the annual Walking Together For Healthier Nations at the Four Corners Monument Visitors Center at day break.
Southern Ute elder, Kenny Frost gave the morning invocation.
Ute Mountain Ute Chairman, Harold Cuthair welcomed the participants to the walk.
Ute Mountain Ute Talia Whyte welcomed the walkers and those in attendance.
Ute Mountain Ute Veterans flag carriers, Conrad Jacket (left) and Gordon Hammond walk with Southern Ute Veteran, Dewitte Baker, carrying the Southern Ute flag.
Flag and banner carriers led the Colorado group from the Four Corners visitors center at the junction of HWY 491 and 160 to the Four Corners monument 18.5 miles away.
Southern Ute Councilwoman Amy Barry hands out the official WTFHN Tshirts.
Southern Ute Councilwoman Amy Barry and Reuben Hammond display the WTFHN shirts given at each station.
Southern Ute employees Velma Armijo and Shaw-Marie Tso keep each other company along the route towards the Four Corners monument.
Mothers pushing strollers with their babies, converse while making their way to the halfway point of the walk from the Colorado side. Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Harold Cuthair (in cowboy hat) walked the entire 18.5 miles.
Ute Mountain Ute Youth Activities Coordinator, Tifiny Mills checks on the walkers ensuring everyone is doing ok during the 18.5 mile trek.
Kenny Frost leads the Colorado walkers.
A bird's eye view above the walkers as they proceed towards the Four Corners monument.
SunUte Fitness Specialist Todd Raining Bird leads the walkers in some stretching prior to another leg of the 18.5 mile walk.
SunUte Fitness Program Specialist, Ron Running Bird flashes a peace sign, as he continues along the walk.
Flag carriers led the group from Utah to the lunch stop at the junction of HWY 41 and HWY 160. They began their 18 mile walk from milepost 29 on Hwy 162.
The Utah walkers turn toward the lunch stop as they meet the walkers from Colorado.
Miss Ute Mountain Ute Talia Whyte greets the walkers as they make it to the lunch rest stop.
Walking together – the two groups from Colorado and Utah walk en route to the Four Corners monument after the lunch break.
With the San Juan Mounatin range in the background the walkers progress towards the last stop before entering the Four Corners monument.
Ute Mountain (or Ute Peak or Sleeping Ute Mountain) is seen in the distance as the walkers head west towards the San Juan River.
Shiprock (Navajo: Tsé Bitʼaʼí, "rock with wings" or "winged rock") is seen in the distance as the flag carries proceed towards the Four Corners monument after the last rest break.
Flag carriers lead the Colorado walkers across the San Juan River bridge.
Miss Ute Mountain Ute Talia Whyte keeps her cool as she strolls across the San Juan bridge.
Southern Ute elder, Kenny Frost, carrying the eagle staff, walkers from Ariz., Colo, N.M., and Utah circle the Four Corners monument as part of the closing ceremonies, ending the walk for participants. A Bear Dance demonstration was given by Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Chief Terry Knight Sr. along with Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance growlers and dancers.
Weenuche Smoke Signals Journalist, Reeanna Mills and sister Tifiny Mills, Ute Mountain Ute Youth Activities Coordinator at the closing ceremonies of the 2017 Walking Together For Healthier Nations at the Four Corners National Monument.
Dignitaries, tribal representatives and officials pose for a photo during closing ceremonies, ending the walk. (Pictured left-right) Southern Ute elder Kenny Frost, Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez, Southern Ute Councilwoman Amy Barry, Ute Mountain Ute Councilwoman Colleen Cuthair-Root and Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Harold Cuthair.
