In December of 2018 the Southern Ute Indian Tribe welcomed a new Tribal Services Department Director, Dedra White Eagle, to work within the Permanent Fund organization.
White Eagle was born and raised in the surrounding areas of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. She attended Durango High School and made her way up to Fort Lewis College, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Not stopping there, White Eagle applied to the University of Colorado where she received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. White Eagle originally started working for the Tribe as a young summer youth worker. Upon returning from college, she worked her way into multiple positions within the tribal entities and departments. With her years of education and experience, stepping into her current position with Tribal Services is a natural role. “I feel like I have been selected to an awesome team,” White Eagle stated. “It’s a good feeling to come into this position with all the division managers working well with each other already.”
White Eagles now oversees five divisions of services: food distribution, vocational rehabilitation, social services, emergency family services and elder services. “My goal for these divisions is to meet with all of them and see what their goals are,” White Eagle explained. “I want to expand [further] and see what the membership wants.”
Each of these divisions and programs work with families and tribal members to promote growth and empowerment. According to their website, “Tribal Services programs consistently seek input to improve quality of service, to be responsible and accountable to the membership.”
“I am appreciative and excited to be given this opportunity to work,” she expressed. “My main goal is to respect, assist and provide the best service I can to the membership.”
While working closely with tribal members, White Eagle is committed to, “give the best service to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.”
Contact Dedra White Eagle in the Tribal Services Department in the MCB Bldg. with inquiries. Email: dweagle@southernute-nsn.gov Phone: 970.563.2324