Chairman candidates platforms, page 6 New! In-depth local weather, page 20 WINNER OF FOUR NATIVE AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS IN 2010 Vol. XLIII • No. 7 • April 8, 2011 Ignacio, Colorado • 81137-0737 Bulk Rate - U.S. Postage Permit No. 1 Inside The Drum Update 2 Culture 3 Health 4 Candidates 6-7 Education 8 Sports 9-10 Hozhoni Days 11 Hunting 14-15 Voices 18 Classifieds 19 Back Page 20 ‘Days of Beauty’ brighten Durango The 47th Fort Lewis College Hozhoni Days PowWow filled the school’s Whalen Gymnasium with the sounds of celebration March 25 – 26. The weeklong Hozhoni Days — Navajo for “Days of Beauty” — culminated with the crowning of a new Miss Hozhoni. The crown passed from native Alaskan Jennifer Bennis to Tawni Knight of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Friends and family supported Knight, a junior at Fort Lewis College, as she accepted the title of Miss Hozhoni 2011-12. Many Southern Ute tribal members, including tribal elder Dr. James Jefferson, turned out for the event. photos Jeremy Wade Shockley/SU DRUM See more photos on page 11. Chairman candidates take questions on finance, employment By Ace Stryker Each contender opened the Jefferson added that he has The Southern Ute Drum forum at the Sky Ute Casino already selected a tribal member Resort’s Events Center with an to serve as his executive officer The five candidates to fill opening statement. Clement if elected. the vacant chairman’s seat on Frost went first, speaking “I want to do this as fairly and the Southern Ute Indian Tribal briefly about his intent to as honestly as I can,” he said. Council took the stage April 4 to restore order to the inner work- Box was next saying he’s run- answer tribal members’ ques- ings of the tribe. ning because he’s “obligated to tions on topics from cultural “This tribe has lost its way,” follow through on what we have preservation to how financial he said. “That’s why I’m here.” started.” He said the Tribal decisions are made. Jefferson followed with a dis- Council had attempted to The candidates are running to cussion of the tribe’s personnel remove him from office without replace former Chairman processes, questionable busi- due process. He also highlighted Matthew J. Box, who resigned ness decisions within the accomplishments from his Feb. 11 “following numerous Growth Fund, and trimming the administration, such as creating and conflicting reports as to fat within the tribal organization minutes to catalog what’s dis- whether or not the Tribal to improve its bottom line. cussed in general meetings of Council would seek to remove “We have way too many eggs the tribal membership. him, he would resign, or he in too many baskets and no Kevin Frost’s opening state- photos Jeremy Wade Shockley/SU DRUM would remain in office,” accord- oversight,” he said, adding the ment focused on the role of the Amita Nathwani of the Southern Ute Healthy Warrior Nutrition and Fitness Program explains ing to a release issued by the Growth Fund runs no fewer than chairman as servant of the peo- March 31 how the eight-week program has helped motivate community members to adopt tribe the same day. Vying for 84 limited liability companies. ple. He said a true chairman healthier habits. Diet choices play a large role, and Nathwani emphasizes alternative eating the job are Kevin R. Frost, Pearl “A forensic audit is one of the realizes his position is powerless options with hands-on food preparation each Thursday. Eighteen two-person teams are compet- E. Casias, Richard L. Jefferson, easiest ways to find out if except to represent the interests ing for prizes like an Xbox Kinect. Clement J. Frost, and Box, who there’s anything fishy going on is seeking to reclaim it. over there.” Chairman page 7 Health program pits ‘warriors’ against one another Honoring our missing brothers Howard Richards Sr., (left) By Ace Stryker commander of the Southern The Southern Ute Drum Ute Veterans Association, stands alongside Vietnam The Muffin Tops. Spice It veteran Ronnie Baker (right) Up. Veronica’s Secret. Lean to lower the Ute Mountain Cuisine Queens. Ute tribal flag in recognition Just a few of the names of soldiers missing in action. belonging to the two-person The Missing Man Table teams in the Healthy Warrior Ceremony took place the Nutrition and Fitness Program. morning of April 1 on the All told there are 18 teams, each lawn of the La Plata County competing over the course of the Courthouse in Durango. City eight-week program to lose the officials, community mem- most weight and claim one the bers and veterans of the U.S. top prizes, which include high- armed forces paid tribute to dollar items such as an Xbox those soldiers who are con- Kinect, iPod Nano and gift cer- — despite the lack of meat — sharing tips with Southern Ute sidered prisoners of war or tificates. Team members are seemed to delight the partici- employees by email during the missing in action. An empty weighed once a week and pants, including Velma Armijo challenge. table stood as a reminder of progress is tracked on a big chart and Heather White Thunder. The program is funded by those who could not join the near the basement kitchen in the Those two, incidentally, are grants through the tribe’s Tribal ceremony. Richard S. Mouache-Capote Building. rumored to have taken the early Services and Social Services Schleeter, veterans service That kitchen is also the site of lead in the contest — though they departments. officer of La Plata County, weekly lunch get-togethers, dur- declined to reveal their team Lest one think it’s all good, moderated the remem- ing which coordinator Amita name, citing its highly secret clean fun, though, one participant brance. Nathwani guides participants nature. revealed during a recent meal the through the preparation of waist- The Heathy Warrior program seedy underbelly of weight-loss line-friendly meals during a light- also includes a fitness component strategy. hearted discussion of healthy led by Kalvin Evans. Evans has “I’m going to be sending them habits. On March 31 it was vege- been hosting fitness walks some Krispy Kreme donuts,” he tarian Panini sandwiches, which around the tribal campus and said of his competitors. April 8, 2011 Update waini (2) News in brief IGNACIO Tribe offers radon testing Environmental Programs would like to remind all Free bison meat available to tribal members tribal members that we provide free radon testing The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Division of for your homes. Many of you have had your home Wildlife Resource Management maintains a small tested by us in the past, but we have new radon herd of bison for the Tribe’s ceremonial, cultural and monitoring equipment that will give you more dietary needs. As a service to the tribal membership, accurate and immediate results. The monitor, the division makes available bison meat to enrolled which is about the size of a shoebox, will need to Southern Ute tribal members free of charge. Tribal be placed in your home for 3 days. Please contact bison are grass-fed at low herd density and are free Peter Diethrich at 970-563-0315 ext. 2238, pdi- of artificial hormones and other synthetic chemicals. [email protected] or Mel Baker at 970-563- Bison meat is naturally low in cholesterol and an 4710, [email protected] to set up an excellent, healthy alternative to beef. If you are an appointment or to ask questions. enrolled Southern Ute tribal member interested in obtaining bison meat for personal use, call the DURANGO Division of Wildlife at 970-563-0130. Quantities and cuts of meat available may be limited. 2011 Severe Storm Spotter Training If you are interested in severe weather, then Ignacio School upcoming events please show up for the training, the training is free Family Dance: Check out your child’s dance to the public. Learn how to identify and report sig- moves, dance the night away and fight cancer all in nificant and severe weather to the National Weather one evening. Please join us for our third annual Service, and learn how to accurately measure pre- Family Dance, Friday, April 15, Family Dance 7 cipitation. p.m. – 9 p.m. Dance the night away DJ’s Eddie & • Monday, April 18 – Combined basic and Betty Box. A skit, “Magic Cure for Cancer”, will advanced Storm Spotter training 6 – 9 p.m. at the also be performed by six IES third grade students. Archuleta County Fairgrounds, Pagosa Springs, in All proceeds raised will support Ignacio Schools’ the CSU Extension Office, 344 Highway 84. Relay for Life team. The cost is $3.00 per person or • Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 – $10.00 per family. Students must be accompanied Combined basic and advanced Storm Spotter train- by an adult! ing 6 – 9 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, Yard Sale: Explorers Club will be hosting a Durango, in the Lightner Room (upstairs meeting huge yard sale in the parking lot Saturday, April room in the exhibition hall). 30. You can rent space for $15, and all the profits • Thursday, April 21 – Basic Storm Spotter you receive from your sales are yours. So, start training 1 – 3 p.m. in the Towaoc Community cleaning out your closets, sheds, and storage units. Center, 485 Sunset Blvd, next to the recreation cen- If you have any questions call Deb Otten at 970- ter, Towaoc. photo archives/SU DRUM 563-0675 ext.