Southern Ute Tribe gives thanks

Friday - November 18, 2022 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Junior Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz introduces herself in her Ute language at the Southern Ute Thanksgiving Dinner, at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, Sat., Nov. 12. The Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Dept., organized the annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Miss Southern Ute First Alternate, Izabella Cloud welcomes those in attendance at the Southern Ute Thanksgiving Dinner.

Ute Mountain Ute council member, Lyndreth Wall helps himself to the bread bin. Wall and other members of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribal councils gave introductions and welcomed attendees at the Southern Ute Thanksgiving Dinner.

Tribal members of the three Ute tribes and their families helped themselves to the Thanksgiving buffet provided by the Sky Ute Casino Resort. The meal included ham, mashed potatoes and other traditional fixings. Due to the current turkey shortage chicken was served instead.

Little Miss Southern Ute, Cyana Whiteskunk read her introduction as her brother, Southern Ute Brave, Henry Whiteskunk III looks on in support.

Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Shayne White Thunder welcomed those in attendance at the Southern Ute Thanksgiving Dinner, as members of the Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Dept., Crystal Rizzo, Marvin Pinnecoose and Rhianna Carel look on.

Ute tribal members and families serve themselves, as members of the Southern Ute Royalty prepare and serve elders who could not get a plate of their own.

Southern Ute Vice-Chairman Ramona Eagle serves herself at the Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the Southern Ute Cultural Department on Saturday, Nov. 12 in the Sky Ute Casino Resort Event Center. The dinner saw large crowds from both the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, the Event Center filled with laughter and smiles.

Miss Ute Mountain Ute, Iyona Pavisook and Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz go table to table visiting with attendees of the Thanksgiving Dinner, welcoming the visitors and giving well wishes for the upcoming holiday.

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