The Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Department is pleased to announce that Dr. Stacey Oberly has joined our team as the Ute Language Program Manager. Dr. Oberly brings an impressive academic and professional background spanning three decades as a renowned Ute language, endangered languages, and Indigenous cultural activist. Her work is rooted in the belief that linguistic and social justice is a means to building proactive and protective cultural identity and spirituality within and for Indigenous communities.

Dr. Oberly holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Arizona and has taught linguistics at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Fort Lewis College. She has also made significant contributions to the field of Southern Ute language studies through her numerous publications, extensive research, and presentations.

As the Ute Language Program Manager, Dr. Oberly will lead the development and expansion of the Cultural Preservation Department’s language programs and resources. Dr. Oberly shared she, “feel[s] very blessed to be able to manage our Ute language program in a way that best honors our ancestors and brings Ute language to our babies yet to come.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Stacey Oberly,” said Crystal Rizzo, Director of the Cultural Preservation Department. “Her expertise and passion for the Ute language will be invaluable as we work to revitalize and preserve this critical part of our heritage. We are confident that under her leadership, our language program will flourish.”