Native Love members hosted a Community Outreach Meeting at the Native Love office in the ELHI Community Center, Monday, April 22. Native Love board member, Oolcu Buckskin, speaking on behalf of Native Love Executive Director, Daisy Bluestar, offered updates on upcoming events and information for the remainder of 2024.
Native Love will host the 4th annual 2024 MMIR Prayer Walk/Run, this Saturday, May 4. The annual walk will begin at Elmore’s Corner (HWY 172/HWY 160) at sunrise (6:30 a.m.) with prayers and blessings, and continue south on HWY 172 towards Ignacio, and conclude at Ute Park.
To close the MMIR Walk, hosted by the Southern Ute Division of Social Services, a meal will be provided, and include remarks from Southern Ute Tribal Council, Southern Ute Police Dept., Southern Ute Behavioral Health and keynote speaker, Trennie Burch of the State of Colorado MMIR Taskforce.
Upcoming events
Native Love will be holding their Board Meeting at the Native Love office at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 7, in the ELHI Community Center. The board meeting will be open to the public, and new officers will be elected at the meeting.
Native Love will be offering their services for various Sun Dances in Ute country during the summer months. If you are interested in volunteering to assist Native Love at the Sun Dances contact Neida Chackee or Native Love for more information.
The 2nd annual Indigenous Fashion Show, Thursday, Aug. 8, in collaboration with the 2024 Pino Nuche Indigenous Art Market & Juried Show. There will be a Call for Artists and Vendors for the fashion show. The art market is scheduled for Aug. 9 – 11 at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum, in Ignacio.
The 2024 MMIR Bike Run is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 1 during the Four Corners Bike Week. The MMIR Run will begin at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and end at the Southern Ute Multi-Purpose Facility in Ignacio. The route is still in the works and will be made available as the event date nears. This year’s MMIR Bike Run will be in collaboration with Harley Davidson.
An Indigenous People’s Day “walking” Parade is also in the works for October 14, times and locations will be announced when made available.
Also in October, Native Love will once again host a booth at the annual Halloween Community Carnival. Look for dates and times for the event to be posted at a later time.
November will see Native American heritage month events throughout Indian Country, and Native Love will be available for local community events and to promote Native Love through community outreach opportunities.
Closing out December, Native Love will be participating in the annual Taste of Christmas hosted by the Town of Ignacio. Also in December, Native Love will host their annual board dinner on Dec. 22. On, Dec. 31, Native Love will participate in the New Year’s Eve Singing and Blessing event.
And to begin 2025, the Buckskin family will host the New Year’s Day Walk. Look for details as the new year approaches.
Native Love is a 501-3c non-profit organization, with a mission to empower Native youth by providing culturally responsive programming. Native Love seeks to preserve culture through providing services to Indigenous people and Indigenous youth by supporting culturally sustaining practices in the Four Corners region.
If you or know anyone who would like to volunteer time and energy, in any manner for any upcoming event, or are interested in serving on the Native Love Board, contact Native Love at 970-553-0662, or via email: native.love.501c3@gmail.com.
Native Love board members will continue the vision of Native Love – to pass on traditional knowledge and culturally relevant events to enrolled tribal members, descendants and family members of enrolled tribal members.