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Sergeant Beck points to one of the mounts he confiscated and explains the role of a Tribal Ranger and his experiences while working for the Tribe.
Acting Police Chief Derriyck Begaye of the Southern Ute Police Department presented the “leaders,” teachers of the Golden High School Senior Seminar with “Challenge Coin”. The coin is given as an honor when they are exchanged – to present their leaders, through their hard work and dedication to their students. Begaye said, “it was an honor to present them with it.”
Corporal Rylan Pahe of the Southern Ute Detention explains how the Detention Center functions and the services it provides to inmates, as part of the Justice and Regulatory presentation.
IS Records Clerk,Jack Frost shows Golden High School students the boxes of files and folders and how TIS archives and stores all the documents sent to the department.
Tribal Information Services staff members, Jack Frost, Samantha Maez and Terence Whyte speak to the Golden High School students about their respective roles under TIS.
Students shake hands with members of Southern Ute Tribal Council, thanking them for their encouragement to continue their education and for the hospitality from the Tribe throughout the entirety of their visit.
Shawna Steffler holds up a mini-ribbon shirt she is preparing for a student, as the Culture class prepares for the upcoming Bear Dance in May.
Golden High School student Luke Wagner reminisces about his Montessori school days as a youth.
Anneke Powell and Sam Ryan further their Montessori teachings within one of the classrooms they toured.
Golden High School students assemble for a photo within the SUIMA tipi. Mari Jo Owens gave a tour of the academy campus to the students.
Pipeline Systems Operator for Red Cedar Gathering, Trent Taylor speaks with Mike Mendoza following a presentation by Southern Ute Growth Fund staff members. Southern Ute tribal members and Growth Fund staff members, Sarah Russell and Madilenia Chavarillo joined Taylor in the presentation.
During day two of their trip, Golden High School seniors visit with the Cultural Preservation Department to learn more about the culture of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Students participated in a round dance and heard songs from the Southern Ute Singers, being invited to sing – student Nolan Spetzler takes a seat at the drum and follows along.
Education Coordinator, Raelynn Torres guides the Golden High School students through the Southern Ute Museum, speaking to the students about the roles carried by Ute women in daily lifestyle.
Patience Graham takes a quick respite against the Bears Ears totem pole, prior to the Golden High School’s tour of the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum.
Each year, visiting Golden High School seniors get the opportunity to participate in live interviews with REZ-olution Radio Hour host, Robert Ortiz. During the interview, students shared their experiences throughout their Senior Seminar trip and gave shoutouts to friends, family, and loved ones.
Golden High School students pose outside of KSUT’s Eddie Box Jr. Media Center, following live on-air interviews and a meal from The Rose Café.
Following the presentations from the Southern Ute Wildlife Division, students had the opportunity to chat with the division employees and ask any questions they may have. Wildlife Biologist Garrett Peachey shared his experience working within the Division and his educational journey.
Golden High School student, Sean Keating holds a bobcat pelt the Division of Wildlife had on display for the students to experience first-hand.
Golden High School students get a hands-on experience, being able to hold and see the various parts of the bison, utilized for various purposes among Southern Utes.
Golden High School students get a hands-on experience, being able to hold and see the various parts of the bison, utilized for various purposes among Southern Utes.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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Golden seniors say hello during Senior Seminar!

Thursday - April 20, 2023 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum

Students pay annual visit to Tribe

Students from Golden High School makes their annual visit to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe as part of their Senior Seminar trip throughout the Southwest. For two days the students experienced great hospitality from multiple departments and divisions of the Tribe all while learning about the culture of the Southern Ute people, gaining insight to the Tribe’s operations, and feeling a strong sense of community. The tour spanned two days, beginning on Tuesday, April 11 at the Bison Pasture and concluded on Wednesday, April 12 at SunUte Community Center.

The tour is coordinated by Robert Ortiz each year, led by Social Studies teacher, Mike Mendoza the Golden High School group has visited the Tribe ten times — since their first trip in 2012. Golden students arrived on the reservation on Monday, April 10 and set up at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall to get rested before the tour began the following day. Students enjoyed a traditional buffalo stew and frybread meal, provided by Sam and Ernestine Maez, upon arrival. As part of their Senior Seminar for their last semester the students travel the nation, camping in most locations. After their tour of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe the students hit the road and began their journey to visit other neighboring tribes and historic natural landmarks in the Southwest.

On Tuesday, April 11 the students paid a visit to the Tribe’s bison pasture, where they attended a presentation from Bison Herd Manager, Jesse Lasater. Throughout the rest of the tour the group visited the Wildlife Division staff, went on air at KSUT Tribal Radio, toured the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, learned to round dance with the Southern Ute singers, and the Southern Ute Royalty. The Cultural Preservation Department also gave a presentation showing Bear Dance and Tribal Fair footage from previous years. The students concluded day one with a presentation from the Southern Ute Growth Fund.

The following day, students began their tour day two with SUIMA Principal, Mari Jo Owens and the students of the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy. Students received a history presentation from Southern Ute Drum Media Archivist, Fabian Martinez, then stopped by the Tribal Council Chambers to discuss their tour with members of the Southern Ute Tribal Council. Wrapping up the tour the group met the Southern Ute Drum newspaper staff, toured Tribal Information Services, Justice and Regulatory, and the SunUte Community Center.

Throughout their trip, students and guides expressed their joy and gratitude to everyone who was involved in making their tour a success. The group felt welcomed, and many students explained how this trip has greatly impacted them and will long be a great memory. From the Southern Ute Reservation, the students then traveled south to visit neighboring tribes and explored national monuments such as Canyon de Chelly. Golden High School chaperones expressed their gratitude and their desire to see this cross-cultural collaboration continue for years to come.

 

Students at Golden High School visit the Southern Ute Indian Tribe during their Senior Seminar Southwest trip, April 10-13. The students spent two days visiting various Tribal Permanent Fund departments, including KSUT Tribal Radio and the Growth Fund. The students were given presentations on Southern Ute culture, traditions, language, and services each department provides to the Southern Ute membership. Golden High School seniors have visited Washington D.C., the Grand Canyon, hiked the Senora Desert and built ice caves in Winterpark, Colo. During their Southwest trip they will be visiting the Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly and other locations in the Southwest. The student group has visited the Southern Ute Tribe annually since 2012, excluding a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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