Royalty crowned and ready for Tribal Fair

Grace Gonzales was crowned Miss Southern Ute and Izabella Cloud was crowned Miss Southern Ute Alt. on Saturday, Aug. 27. All contestants showcased their talents such areas like traditional dance and crafts, as well as in Ute language and Ute history.

Contestants for the Southern Ute Royalty Pageant line up for a chance to get group photos from family and friends after the crowning ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Multi-Purpose Facility. Pictured (left to right) are: Brave, Henry White Skunk; Brave Runner-Up, Osias Goodtracks; Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Shayne White Thunder; Junior Miss Southern Ute Second Alt., Maleina Carel; Little Miss Southern Ute, Cyana Whiteskunk; Junor Miss Alt., Myla Goodtracks; Junior Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz; Miss Southern Ute Alt., Izabella Cloud; Miss Southern Ute, Grace Gonzales; and Miss Southern Ute Second Alt., Rhianna Carel.

Southern Ute Council Member Marge Barry shares a moment with her granddaughter Grace Gonzales during the Southern Ute Royalty Pageant. The Pageant allows for royalty contestants to meet with Tribal and community members and for family and community members to showcase their support.

Royalty Committee members and tribal elders, Jennifer Goodtracks and Corliss Taylor await the result of the results of the newest members of royalty.

Henry Whiteskunk was chosen as Southern Ute Brave to represent the Southern Ute Tribe with Osaias Goodtracks chosen as Southern Ute Brave Runner-Up.

Members of the Southern Ute Royalty Committee crown Myla Goodtracks as Junior Miss Southern Alternate.

Fabian Martinez | SU Drum

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Mon Sep 12th, 2022 , by Fabian Martinez | The Southern Ute Drum

In the tradition of the Southern Ute Tribal Fair, members of the Southern Ute Tribe, Royalty Committee, family, and community welcomed the newest members of the Southern Ute Royalty for the 2022-23 season on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Multi-Purpose Facility. This is the first royalty pageant and crowning to occur since the 2019-21 season. Ten contestants showcased their knowledge of the Southern Ute Tribe, Ute language, dance, and cultural skills in front of a panel of judges in hopes to be crowned. A formal introduction and talent portion allowed for all contestants to display why they could be the best fit to represent the Southern Ute Tribe with a crowning to follow later in the evening. The pageant also included a keynote from former royalty member, Marcy Ekiko who discussed her time as royalty and the impact it has had in her life. Dinner was provided by Elise Redd and the Multi-Purpose Facility, and a prayer was given by Matthew Box. Royalty from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Jicarilla Apache Nation were present in support of contestants and to welcome the newly crowned Royalty.