Federal gov’t recognizes club for ‘Keep It Sacred’ film

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded participants of the Boys & Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s PeaceJam program a certificate of recognition for its work on “Keep It Sacred,” a film about the various uses of tobacco.

“Your work is a source of inspiration for all of us,” wrote Denver-based Region VIII Director Marguerite Salazar in an April 2 letter. “Not only does your film carry an important message about the dangers of recreational, non-ceremonial tobacco use, it has already helped bring about important change.”

The film was publicly screened first at home at the Southern Ute Multi-purpose Facility, but later went on to appear in the Durango Film Festival and as part of a series hosted by the Denver American Indian Commission.

The Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council formally congratulated the club on the recognition in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 11 — the last day of work for the club’s chief professional officer, Marissa Rocha, who is moving to Texas. Also present was her successor, Bruce Leclaire, formerly the Title VII coordinator for the Durango School District.

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