10 Years Ago: The chairmen of the three Ute tribes sign off on Tri-Ute Council bylaws during the council’s meeting on Sept. 23, 2010 in Ignacio. From left to right, Nothern Ute Chairman Curtis Cesspooch, Southern Ute Chairman Matthew J. Box, and Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Ernest House Sr. make the council official with the signing of the document, legitimizing its future and past efforts, which have included, among other things authorizing the annual Tri-Ute Games. This photo was published in the Oct. 8, 2010, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

20 Years Ago: Showing their support of Hoop Dancer Joey Summers, Ute Royalty carries the blanket for the Blanket Dance in the arbor at the Council Tree Powwow in Delta, Colo. Shown (left to right) are Miss Southern Ute 1st Alternate Brandi Naranjo, Miss Indian Colorado Marcy Herrera, Miss Ute Mountain Ute Donitta Lobato, and Miss Southern Ute Deanna Frost. This photo was published in the Oct. 6, 2000, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

30 Years Ago: Ignacio High School students, J.R. Jefferson and Sheila Ryder, read Chief Seattle’s 1852 letter to the United States Government during the “Up With People” program in Durango, Colo. on Sept. 22, 1990 This photo was published in the Oct. 12, 1990, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

40 Years Ago: Miss Southern Ute Verna Velasquez and Jennifer Dixon dance a special at the Friday Night Powwow after the Ute Mountain Health Center Dedication Oct. 2, 1980 in Towaoc, Colo. This photo was published in the Oct. 10, 1980, issue of The Southern Ute Drum.

Photo Credit: Ace Stryker | SU Drum archive

Photo Credit: Blenda Ortiz | SU Drum archive

Photo Credit: courtesy Jeff Jefferson | SU Drum archive

Photo Credit: SU Drum archive