Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz is holding vegetable seeds for the “Three Sisters,” corn, bean, and squash — a historically traditional crop combination for many Indigenous peoples.

A land blessing took place at the ELHI Community Center for the start of a community healing garden on Monday, July 24. The event was hosted by the Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO), which has offices in Ignacio and Durango.

The seeds, and the garden space, were blessed by Eddie and Betty Box to begin the community garden in a good way.

Native Love’s Daisy Bluestar (left), and son Andre Bluestar-Baker (center), and Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO) Director, Kelsey Lansing visit with each other during the land blessing event at the ELHI Community Center, Monday, July 24.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum