The Aspen Times
Aspen Welcomes Home Ute Indians...

Cool temperatures couldn't damper the people of Roaring Fork Valley in officially welcoming home members of the Ute Nation, "The Blue Sky People," at an historical healing ceremony at Aspen's Gondola Plaza April 15th. It was the Utes' ancestral home for 30,000 years. Following a day of skiing, young, proud, bare chested Zuni Deer Dancers opened the ceremony honoring "The People of the Deer" (the Utes), plus Coyote, Jingle, Traditional, Hoop and Fancy Shawl. After his splendid eagle plumed Fancy Dance, Ute Mountain's Gerald Ketchum led a prayer in his native tongue honoring the ancestral Ute Spirits, Nature Spirits, and Aspen's Mountains. The event was organized by skiing legend, Suzy "Chapstick" Chaffee, co-chairman of Native American Olympic Team Foundation, a partnership of Tribal and Ski Resort leaders across America, whose mission is, "in joyful unity through sports healing Mother Earth for our children."

Mayor Rachel Richards honored the Ute Nation for keeping the Rocky Mountains pristine for thousands of years. In the circle, the Mayor and the community shook their hands and personally welcomed each of the Utes, including: Kerwin and Durand Tom, Gerald, Sonya and Bob Ketchum, Theresa Chase, Elias Lehi, Eddy Morell and Nathan Wing. Mayor Richards then thanked all Native Americans, including the 10 Lakota, Pima, and Zuni dancers, and a surprising number of locals with Native blood, for the gifts of Democracy and Ecology. "Where would we be without them?" she asked. One in 5 Americans have Native blood, one being Vice Mayor, Terry Paulson, who led the Council in supporting this historical event. During the final Friendship Dance most of the 125 onlookers encircled the Plaza's inlaid 4 Directions Compass as they danced, drummed, and sang the valley into a new millennial spirit.

Acting on the Mayor's suggestion that "this is a opportune time to heal," Chaffee invited NVF Board member, Faril Meistrell, a local ordained minister to lead a prayer. We are "The 7th Generation." This is the time to celebrate our similarities, to listen to native voices for they are the ones who show us how to see each other as brother and sister and how to walk gently on the Earth." Native Americans believe that the 7th Generation will determine the fate of mankind. It is this generation's enthusiasm that insures these cultural exchanges/events occur. Fernando Cellcion magnificent flute playing helped dissolve the memories of the history of exploitation, genocide, and abuse and instilled a renewed sense of Oneness among the spectators and participants. Local Grafton Smith said, "Realizing that every race has been womped at least once in history, I was really moved by this ceremony. "

After the White Buffalo Dancers, Alden Nastacio and Radean Johnson, Jake Sounding Side, an Aspen Lakota, spoke of Black Elk's White Buffalo Prophesy: The five Colors of Man will come together as One around the Turn of the Millennium.' Black Elk's 13 yr. old descendent, Strong Heart, was one of the dancers. For those gathered at Aspen's Gondola Plaza Saturday, it felt as if the Prophesy was coming true. "May our song of brotherhood be heard around the world, a song of unity in harmony, in peace, and in love, " said Rev Meistrell.

The event marked the first time that Aspen Skiing Company has shared a weekend of skiing with the Utes on the same mountains their ancestors joyfully hunted game. "Six of us skied from the very top of Snowmass down Ute Shute' to the Snowboard Park, where we did 360's and got big air. It was awesome!" declared Ute Mountain Jr. Recreation Leader, Kerwin Tom. Tom is a descendent of the last traditional Ute Mountain Chief, Jack House, and nephew of Ute Mountain Chairman, Ernest House, a skier. In appreciation, he gave the Mayor, Terry Paulson, Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Museum's Jonas Weil, and Incline and Pomeroy Sports a gift of their famed Ute Mountain Pottery.

Aspen skier Patrick Kennedy, (son of Ted) and co-founder of the US House of Representatives 60 person "Native American Caucus," sent a note to congratulate Native Voices and the people of Aspen on this event: "I share your commitment to ensuring that our Nations First Americans can enjoy the same opportunities that their fellow citizens do, with the help of my like-minded colleagues in the Congress. It's heartening to know that there are groups like yours across the country that are working to better the lives of their Indian friends and neighbors. Please keep up the good work and know that I'll be working in Washington to ensure that our nation's First Americans see justice and equality as a reality in their lives." --Sincerely Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy NVF

Aspen, along with four prestigious Colorado ski areas--Vail, Telluride, Steamboat and Purgatory-- have honored the Utes with this Millennial Gesture. Over 1,000 Native Americans to date have been given a chance to fly like eagles on skis, with tickets, lessons and equipment donations. Telluride Ski Company owner, Ron Allred, stated, "Our intention is to honor and heal the past and start a new beginning.'" Snowmass' top ski instructors: Sergio, Cary, Shannon, Michael, and Aspen Mountain Ambassador, Faril Meistrell, enjoyed teaching the Indians. Also assisting were Olympian Chaffee and Sarah Pletts, who was one of the valley's pioneers along with Aspen Skiing Co's Buzz Bainbridge, Connie Marlow and John Denver, in creating a bridge between the cultures with Ute Medicine man Alden Naranjo, NVF's co-chairman. Thanks to Aspen Central Reservation's Chief Bill Tomcich, some of their finest hotels offered lodging to the Indians.

After the Plaza ceremony, the Ute and other Native American "MVP's of the Millennium" (so say NVF Chief Advisors Billy Kidd, British Olympic Skier Martin Bell, Phil Jackson, Bill Bradley, Bill Koch, and French Princess Carolina Murat), were treated to a reception at the St Regis. Some of the Natives spontaneously shared their culture to the surprised delight of hotel guests by doing an impromptu Flute, Buffalo and Fancy Dance encore. A Ute Buffalo dinner at Chaffee-Meistrell's home in Old Snowmass was a big hit thanks to French Chef, Andrea Francecot. Chip Comins and Harvey Brancomb of American Spirit Productions, which is part of a documentary set for international distribution "The overwhelming response by Aspen's community and press, together with the other trendsetting ski areas we hope inspires every ski area in America next season to celebrate their Tribes with the joy of skiing," said Chaffee.

All of which was caught for posterity by Chip Comins and Harvey Brancomb for NVF's documentary, "Return to the Shining Mountains." (Check nativevoices.org for our promo, "Flying like Eagles on Skis". It can be seen on NVF's web site courtesy of Jim Selby of MacAspen Web Solutions (our webmaster 970-948-9998) and Vance Feast of Aspen Adventure, including stills by Aspen's Grafton Smith. (970-925-7120)