SPECIAL ELECTION
Corliss M. Taylor
Tribal Council Candidate
Maykh (Hello)
My name is Corliss May Taylor, and I am a candidate for the Southern Ute Tribal Council, “Special Election”. My purpose is to improve the quality of service and benefits to the Tribal membership. I believe in communication to and from our people. That being said, I would like to see tribal membership speak freely and ask questions at our scheduled general meetings. I plan to work with the current Tribal leadership on behalf of both the Tribal membership and the organization. Most importantly I will follow the tribal constitution, oath of office, financial plan and other policies that govern the tribe with the understanding they can be amended or changed for the benefit of the tribal membership. I humbly say my knowledge and experience comes from the following:
I was born and raised here. My home and employment has always been on So Ute reservation.
I am familiar with the Tribal membership, culture, tribal organization, and local community.
I have approximately 34 plus years of employment with the Veterans Administration, BIA, IHS, and the Southern Ute Tribe.
I was elected to Tribal Council in 1997-2000 and at various times served as acting chairman and for one year as treasurer.
After retirement in 2014, I continued to assist Southern Ute Tribe as acting Culture Director twice, and acting Museum Director once.
I have volunteer for 3 decades on the Southern Ute Powwow Committee, and with the help of the entire committee ensured a successful powwow each year.
I have also served as a member of the Royalty committee providing guidance and direction.
I am dedicated to strengthening the Tribe now and for future generations. I would appreciate your vote on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Tuvuch Toghoyak
Corliss May Taylor
SPECIAL ELECTION
Michelle Taylor
Tribal Council Candidate
Hello, I am a candidate running for the Special Election on October 30, 2026.
My name is Michelle D. Taylor. I am continuing my statement to Tribal Membership. I would like to continue to speak on what I would like to see and do if elected to the Tribal Council. I talked about a couple of projects and topics that need to be visited and addressed to benefit the Tribal Membership and their families in my last statement and the current statement.
There are concerns that I have heard from the Tribal Membership that range from the smallest issue to the largest. I truly believe that every Tribal Member should have a voice and the ability to communicate their concerns to the Tribal Council. I would offer an open-door policy so that I may hear your concerns and what issues you are dealing with. I have also been a person who felt like I had an issue or problem and tried to have the problem addressed that at times fell on deaf ears. I have had issues with employment, housing, safety and substance abuse on the reservation and within the larger COMMUNITY.
I know that I am not the only one who feels like a concern may not be met or understood or even at times dealt with by Tribal Department heads. Problems that arise can be small but those who are dealing with the issue or concerns can feel large to that individual and need to be heard and communicate to those who can address the issue. That is where COMMUNICATION needs to be with the Tribal Membership on what can be done. If issues or concerns are not heard, then how do they get addressed for others may be having to deal with the same concern or issue.
One issue that I did not get to touch on was BIA. I have also tried many times to communicate with the BIA with regard to land issues and have not gotten things addressed. I see that there are Departments that tend to bottle neck issues and brush then aside and tell the person to take that to the Tribal Council. I would like to be able to be a voice of that concern and hope to address or at least put the topic on the table to be addressed or looked into. I know that Tribal Council does not deal with certain topics that only the Tribal Chair or the Executive Officer can address but with that being said it does need to be looked into and discussed and addressed. I hope to use the time in round table discussion that is devoted just to issues that are brought forth to the Tribal Council. Follow up is very important.
The term I am running for is for two years and I know that from being on Tribal Council and as a Executive Officer that this time goes by very fast BUT CHANGE does need to happen. I myself see that the change will take time, but it has to start somewhere. TRANSPARENCY with the Tribal minutes and Tribal Council approvals are how we as Tribal Members receive what is going on with the Tribal Departments, Tribal programs and the Tribal leadership. Those minutes help keep Tribal Membership up to date with the Tribal Organization and what is going on and what is approved or improved.
There are so many layers to problems, or concern or issues but they do need to be addressed or brought forth to be addressed or even solved or programs created to address the issues to benefit the Tribal Membership. I hope to help with your concerns.
So please come out and VOTE on October 30, 2026, let your VOTE be your VOICE. Vote for that individual who will be your voice and good luck to all those Individuals who are running for the Special election.
Thank you for your support and VOTE.
Michelle Taylor
Photo was not available.
SPECIAL ELECTION
Susan Williams
Tribal Council Candidate
Greetings my fellow Southern Ute Tribal Members,
My name is Susan Williams. I have decided to place my name on the special election ballot for the tribal council seat which was vacated by Marvin Pinnecoose. My decision to run for tribal council was made because I believe our tribal government needs to BE for the tribal membership.
My father the late, John S. Williams, would often have many visitors and I didn’t quite understand why but as I grew older; I found out he served on tribal council as a council member and Chairman. One particular person, who often visited was Mr. Leonard C. Burch. Mr. Burch and my father would of speak of tribal matters and I remember my father telling him, “You make decisions not for now but for the future generations to come,” Those words echo in my head and how times has progressed, how our tribal government has evolved and how our leadership has changed.
As our productivity in oil and gas grew and became more profitable; our government grew as well. We have Growth Fund, Red Willow, Red Cedar, GF Properties and GF Private Equity Group, SUSS, SUIMA, SunUte Community Center, Southern Ute Museum, Sky Ute Casino and other investments in other States. Currently, two new construction sites are being developed: the Recovery Housing Project and Boys & Girls Club. These are all great accomplishments for our membership.
What is missing? Our leaders. When tribal members are asking for help: too many times; it’s a pat on the back and a ‘sorry, we can’t get involved.’ The same line over and over again. When a tribal employee or department isn’t willing to work with the membership that’s a problem. We are seeking answers, action and accountability.
Tribal members are looking for employment but not having a degree or work experience shouldn’t disqualify them. We need to be more proactive with employment options. One example is having more tribal members intern at businesses, who we are partnered with off and on the reservation.
Open up SUIMA to families with descendants. Offer a tuition fee t be paid and this revenue could offset the operating costs of the school.
This next issue common in all communities: drugs, alcohol, depression and mental illness. These traumas cause deep psychological damage and cause serious harm to oneself and the family. We need more professionals to help our loved ones. We can’t keep sending them away and return home to the same environment. I am hoping the new Recovery Housing Project will provide those services to the individual and family members.
In closing, I can in all HONESTY, if I am elected, I will lead with RESPECT and INTERGRITY. I will hold myself ACCOUNTABLE for my words and actions. I will be here for the ENTIRE membership.
Thank you for your time and consideration to be your next tribal council member for these next two years.
Susan Williams
Photo was not available.