The 3rd annual MMIR Prayer Walk continued into 2024 with additional support from Southern Ute tribal departments and staff. Escort service was provided from beginning to end along the 15-mile walk, from Elmore’s Corner to Ute Park in Ignacio. The Southern Ute Division of Social Services also hosted the closing ceremonies with speakers including, SUPD Chief, Michael Barrow, Behavioral Health’s Marvina Olguin and Preston Barry, and keynote speaker Trennie Burch, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Taskforce of Colorado. Executive Director and founder of Native Love, Daisy Bluestar and Native Love members organized the walk. A meal was provided by Southern Ute Justice and Regulatory.
Lorelie Cloud, Neida Chackee, Conrad Jacket and Nenette McNamara lead the walkers between Oxford and Ignacio.
Ute Mountain Ute Royalty members joined Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council members and approximately 30 walkers began the 15-mile trek from Elmore’s Corner towards Ignacio, beginning with a sunrise service by elder, Hanley Frost.
Ute Mountain Ute Councilman, Conrad Jacket (Army) carried the Ute Mountain Ute tribal flag for the entirety of the MMIR Prayer Walk. Jacket is also a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Color Guard.
Jorge DeLaTorre, Jimmy Maldanado, and Randall Paredes and the group of The Nahui Ollin Runners, from Denver, walked part of the 15-mile route before doubling back and running – catching up with the walkers – and continuing to Ute Park as a group.
Trennie Burch, Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Relatives Taskforce of Colorado, Melody Delmar, Director
of the Office of the Liason for Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Relatives, and Daisy Bluestar, Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Relatives Taskforce of Colorado, at
the closing ceremonies of the 3rd annual MMIR Prayer
Walk, in Ute Park, in Ignacio, Saturday, May 18.
Southern Ute Councilwoman Vanessa Torres speaks to those in attendance at the closing ceremonies of the 3rd annual MMIR Prayer Walk in Ute Park, Saturday, May 18.
Miss Southern Ute, Autumn Sage stands alongside her mom Lynette Sage and SUPD Chief Barrow during the welcome and prayer at Ute Park in Ignacio.
Councilwoman Marge Barry welcomes runners, walkers and bystanders who attended the event; Councilwoman Torres, Vice Chairman Cloud and Councilman Gallegos spoke as well.
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: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
