Getting healthy at the Four Corners

Friday - May 25, 2018 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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Runners hit the 6K cross-country trail from the Four Corners National Monument, starting the day’s events at the annual Walking Together for Healthier Nations, Friday, May 11.
Southern Ute Health Department employees, Morgann Box (left) and Lisa Smith, get into line dancing mode, doing a shuffle with Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Royalty.
A Bear Dance demonstration, hosted by the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, has been a traditional portion of the Walking Together For Healthier Nations annual event. Ute Mountain Young Warrior – Leland Collins Jr., dances with Southern Royalty, Jr. Miss Southern Ute – Autumn Sage (left) and Miss Southern Ute – Lorraine Watts.
Ute Mountain Young Warrior – Leland Collins Jr., dances with Southern Royalty, Jr. Miss Southern Ute – Autumn Sage.
Royalty members of the Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute and Navajo Nation stand with performers, Kari Denny-Flynn "Writtyn" and Rhonda DuVall "Honey".
Kari Denny-Flynn "Writtyn" and Rhonda DuVall "Honey", performed spoken word and rap as part of the Walking Together For Healthier nations entertainment.
Southern Ute Royalty, Little Miss Southern Ute, Myla Goodtracks, Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Autumn Sage and Miss Southern Ute, Lorraine Watts at Walking Together for Healthier Nations, Friday, May 11.
Miss Southern Ute, Autumn Sage save a welcome as part of the Royalty introductions.
A Marine color guard hoists the flags during an honor and flag song just prior to the start of the runners 6K run, at the Four Corners National Monument.
Tees Nos Pos Jr. High students begin the 2.5 walk from the Four Corners National Monument.
Blenda Ortiz and nephew, AhKeem Williams, and other walkers make their way along the 2.5 mile trail towards the Four Corners National Monument.
The "toe" of Sleeping Ute can be seen in the distance as walkers make their way along the 2.3 mile walk.
AhKeem Williams get a refreshing cup of water from volunteer, Charles Benally (US Army) from Arizona.
Southern Ute Health Department employees (left to right) Darien Neskahi, Stacy Wacker, Calandra Yazzie, Mary Silas, and Jane Henson, make their way along the 2.5 mile trail after a stop at one of the hydration stations.
Water break. Ute Mountain Ute walkers share a smile and drink with AhKeem Williams at one of the water stations along the 2.5 mile walk route.
Walkers cross the New Mexico/Arizona border along the 2.4 mile route that encircled the Four Corner National Monument.
Walkers begin the 2.5 mile walk during the annual Walking Together for Healthier Nations, Friday, May 11. The walk first encircled the Four Corners National Monument before venturing out on Arizona land.
Eddie and Betty Box, of Hummingbird and Sandman Entertainment were on hand as MC's and providing sound for the Walking Together Four healthier nations event.
Willard Light, Darwin Whiteman, Gary Nichols and Charles Benally salute the flag during a flag song.
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
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
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
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
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
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The annual Walking Together for Healthier Nations made some significant changes to its annual event. The changes came about due to safety concerns along the long stretches of highways the walkers travelled on, and participant numbers decreased over the years. Instead of the 19 mile walk from the junction of HWY’s 160 and 491, from the Colorado side, the walk now centralized at the Four Corners Monument. There was a 2.5 mile walk, which could be traversed at any time throughout the day, and two runs, a 6K and a 12K,  all of which started from the Four Corners Monument. Workout sessions were added which included Zumba and line dancing. There were health booths from the Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Tribe’s respective health departments.

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