A three-person panel – Ignacio community member, Robert Ortiz (Taos Pueblo), CEO of Hard Beauty, Racquel Garcia, from Castle Rock, Colo. and Southern Ute tribal member, Marvina Olguin – spoke of their own experiences and shared what worked for them in their recovery journey.

Words of Inspiration greet people at the entryway pf the Recovery Retreat.

Southern Ute Health Center, Native Connections Program Manager, Precious Collins, Southern Ute Behavioral Health Manager, Mary Young and Southern Ute Behavioral Health, Peer Recovery Coach, Marvina Olguin celebrate their department’s first Recovery Retreat, with the hopes of this becoming an annual retreat.

Donovan "Beef" Archambault closed out the Recovery retreat with "Laughter is Good Medicine."

Recovery retreat attendees take advantage of the free Narcan kits Behavioral Health assembled for event. The kit includes two nasal dosages and instructions on how to administer the drug. Attendees received free training on Narcan and fentanyl test strips, provided by SWCAHEC and Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention.

Doty Shepard of Resilient Colorado speaks of resilience, boundaries and self-compassion in one of the afternoon sessions.

Jacque Lucero of Advocates for Recovery Colorado, based out of Westminster, Colo., sings a song passed down to her from her uncle.

Indigo Sparks, a Peer Navigator of Hard Beauty, jumps on stage for her karaoke performance of Dance Macabre by the metal band, Ghost. Sparks expressed how this song, and band helped her during hard times in her life.

Division of Social Services and Behavioral Health staff members.

Dimitri Height sings “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” in the Ute language during the lunchbreak. Height attends the Kiyghat (Bear) Academy in Towaoc, Colo.

Howard and Sammy amn the Indigenous Wellbriety Program booth at the Recovery Retreat.

Imo Succo attends to the Indigenous Wellbriety Program booth at the Recovery Retreat.

CEO of Hard Beauty, Racquel Garcia, from Castle Rock, Colo., speaks of her childhood home on Mercer Drive.

Dr. Libby Stuyt speaks to attendees of the morning session about Auricular Acupuncture and how it can help in recovery.

Jade Richards receives an Auricular Acupuncture treatment from Avani G. Dilger of Natural Highs, out of Boulder, Colo. The 5-point ear acupuncture protocol is utilized to help patients recover from addiction as well as trauma which is often underlying addiction and chronic pain issues.

Cavanaugh O'John, receives an Auricular Acupuncture treatment from Avani G. Dilger of Natural Highs, out of Boulder, Colo. The 5-point ear acupuncture protocol is utilized to help patients recover from addiction as well as trauma which is often underlying addiction and chronic pain issues.

An attendee strums the camel-skinned instrument, similar to a guitar, during the “Self-care: Sound and movement therapy break-out session.

Donovan "Beef" Archambault presented "Breaking 'generational' cycles of addiction in one of the morning sessions. Beef also a traveling Native American comedian visits other communities on his travels across the country.

During the “Self-care: Sound and Movement Therapy” attendees take a turn with a hand drum, a camel skinned guitar and learning about voice articulation in sound therapy.

A camel skinned-guitar, and hand drums, of the “Self-care: Sound and movement therapy" break-out session.

During her workshop on sound, music, and movement for self-care, Tamara Turner explains the sound vibrations of an instrument made of camel skin, which covers a wooden shell, and strings made of sheep intestines.

Native Connections Program Manager, Precious Collins, gathers attendees for a prayer to begin the Recovery Retreat, the prayer was given by Southern Ute Councilwoman, Marge Barry.

Southern Ute Councilwoman Vanessa Torres visits DeAnne House at Ute Mountain Ute Health Services booth.

Southern Ute Behavioral Health Manager, Mary Young commends the Behavioral Health staff for all their hard work in putting together the Recovery Retreat.

Southern Ute Tribal Health Director, David Tonemah welcomes attendees and speaks of the work Behavioral Health has done throughout the community.

Southern Ute Councilmember, Marge Barry welcomes attendees to the Recovery Retreat. She spoke of how addiction affects the family.

Southern Ute Councilmember, Linda Baker welcomes attendees to the Recovery Retreat. Other councilmembers, Vanessa Torres, Marvin Pinnecoose and Marge Barry.

Southern Ute Behavioral Health Peer Recovery Coach, Marvina Olguin, holds the Narcan kit the Behavioral Health put together, and gave away for free to all participants of the Recovery Retreat.

Participants write information pertaining to their specific fields in mental health, substance abuse and prevention, recovery, self-care and contact info for participants, during the Recovery Retreat: Professional’s Day, Friday, May 19, at the Sky Ute Casino Resort.

Cultural Outreach Coordinator, Kele Trujillo-Valdez, speaks to the attendees of the Professional’s Day at the Recovery Retreat about the services provided by SASO (Sexual Assault Services Organization).

Southern Ute Behavioral Health, Native Connections Program Manager, Precious Collins, gives accolades and hands out gift bags to professionals and presenters at the closing of the Professional's Day of the Recovery Retreat.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum