Twenty-five years ago, I spoke with many Ute elders, some of whom have entered the Spirit World. With excitement in their arms, hands, faces and voices, they told me “good news” about the tribe’s future investments in 10, 50 and 100 years. It was exciting to hear words from tribal elders who have waited too long to experience what others take for granted.
I attended the 25-year anniversary celebration of the Southern Ute Growth Fund. As I enjoyed the company of Growth Fund women, I recalled the words of Ute elders who spoke of futures these women have now realized. Thank you for making dreams come true for people who are no longer here to see their visions become reality.
I left the celebration with memories of a story told by an elder woman, mixed with memories of my own Yoeme people. It’s something like this: When there is fog above the ground after a rain, that mist is when the Creator (to Yoeme, the Creator is Sun God) … Sun God takes all deceased creatures to live in the clouds.
When this Ute elder woman spoke, my mind went to how my own Yoeme tell this story … when all the deceased creatures are taken to sienna, the Flower World … where they are cared for by the Deer Dancer forever, happy and safe. This is how I see the future of Ute people: to be cared for, happy and safe.
Julie C. Abril
Bayfield