U.S. CAPITOL - Ute Tribe

News From Ute Country
December 6, 2012 Page 3 Ute Bulletin
Chairwoman irene C. CuCh
report to the ute indian
ribe membership
n behalf of the Ute Indian
ribe Business Committee
Business Committee), I am
roud to report on a number
f important achievements
his past year.
First, and most imporantly,
the Tribe entered into
historic settlement of the
rust Mismanagement lawuit.
he Ute Tribe received
he third largest settlement
mongst over 45 Tribes that
ave settled their cases, with
n award of $125 million
ollars. In response to the
equest of all of you, the
ribe’s members, the Busiess
Committee distributed
he settlement funds in full to
ach of the Tribes Members.
We also were able to fight
o secure a ruling from IRS
hat the funds would not be
axed, and another ruling
rom Social Security Adinistration
that the monies
ould not be count as income
o affect federal social secuity
benefits.
This settlement, and the
RS and Social Security Rulngs
did not come easy, they
nvolved a lot of work, and a
umber of trips to Washingon
DC and other meetings,
uch as NCAI. In the end
hough, the trust mismangement
settlement and the
Christmas Tree
Continued From Page 1
“The People’s Tree” that is
standing on the West lawn of
the Capitol Building. The
People’s Trees come from
public lands that are for the
people of the nation, therefore
it is called the “People’s
Tree.” The Capitol Tree is
buried 10 feet into the ground
and encased with concrete.
The Capitol Christmas Tree
is a tradition that started in
1964.
Another is a “companion” to
the U.S. Capitol Christmas
tree that is standing outside
the National American Indian
Museum. There were 70
other Christmas trees that
were harvested and were
place in various Washington
D.C. Government buildings.
The selection of the Capitol
Christmas tree lies with
the US Forest Service. The
tree must stand between 60
– 70 feet, must have a cone
shape so looking at it from
all sides, it will still appear
to be in the shape of a cone.
The tree must have a majestic
look both in height and girth.
Trees are selected from the
National Forests throughout
the Nation.
The cutting and placing the
tree on a flatbed truck was
not a simple process. Donated
construction Cranes
were used to maneuver the
tree onto a flatbed trailer. A
special cradle was made to
support the tree branches;
the tree was then encased in a
plywood shelter with a plexiglass
nose cone so people
could look at it. To keep the
tree moist, it was sprayed
with an anti-desiccant (drying
agent), and a 50 gallon
water bladder was attached
to the end of the three so the
tree could still draw water
through the tree.
The question of would
the spread of pine beetles
accompany the tree? Answer
was that the pine beetles only
attack the Western Lodge
Pole Pines therefore other
forests along the route would
be safe.
The trees were harvested
on November 2 nd , the next
day November 3 rd , Meeker
held a Tree celebration. The
wrapping of the trees for
their trip to Washington DC
ruling from IRS are a tremendous
and historic victory for
our Tribe, and all other Tribes
that filed this type of claim
against the United States for
mismanagement of our trust
resources.
Second, I am proud to
report that the Ute Tribe has
acquired its own 100% tribally
owned energy company,
Ute Energy Midstream. In
addition, the Tribe has approved
the sale of Ute Energy
upstream for an amount exceeding
$800 million.
The purchase of Ute Energy
Midstream has allowed
for the Tribe to acquire full
ownership of an energy company,
currently valued at over
$207 million. Ute Energy
Midstream will provide annual
revenues to the Tribe of
approximately $20 million
per year.
After purchasing the Midstream
operations, the Tribe
will also receive over $158
million in proceeds from
the sale of Upstream, which
will be used to repay loans
against the Tribe’s 506 account
pursuant to the terms
of the Tribe’s financial plan
ordinance.
This is a historical moment
for the Ute Indian Tribe, and
the purchase of Ute Energy
Midstream has fulfilled the
Tribe’s long standing dream
took two days on November
3 &4. On November 5 th ,
Tuesday, the Trees began
their cross country trip to DC.
A truck carrying the Capitol
Christmas Tree and another
truck carrying the 70 smaller
trees and about 5,000 outdoor
and 1,000 indoor ornaments
along with 3 forest service
support vehicles, two law
enforcement vehicles and at
times one vehicle of a nonprofit
partner, “Choose Outdoors”
(who raised funds for
the trip) took the Tour across
the Country. The Convoy
visited 26 towns and cities
in its 21 day, 21 state, and
5,500 mile trip.
The Eagle View Elementary
School students made some
of the ornaments as well as
the Tribe’s Senior Citizen’s
Department. In September
2012 Lynn Lockwood , Support
Service Specialist, of the
White River National Forest
paid a visit to Eagle View and
brought some sliced beetle
killed trees that were made
into cookie ornaments for
the Capitol Christmas Tree.
Loya Arrum, Ute language
teacher, had her 7 th and 8 th
grade students help made
the cookies. Not only did
her class make the cookies
but all the grades from 1 st to
the 8 th graders helped make
the cookie ornaments. (See
Vernal Express September
12, 2012). The Ute Indian
Tribe’s Senior Citizen Department
also made some of
the ornaments for the tree.
On December 3, with
good weather, the Blessing
of the Companion tree by
Clifford Duncan (Northern
Ute), Terry Knight (Ute
Mountain Ute) and Alden
Naranjo (Southern Ute),
was held Monday morning
at the National Museum of
the American Indian. After
the Blessing, we went up to
the 4 th Floor of the Museum.
Speakers from each tribe
along with the US Forest
Service and Museum personnel
spoke about the Trees.
Alden Naranjo of Southern
Ute spoke and also presented
Lynn Lockwood with a gift of
appreciation for all her hard
work. Ute Mountain Ute Vice
Chairman Bradley Hight
spoke next and introduced
our Royalty, Little Miss Ute
of owning our own energy
company, and the sale of Ute
Energy Upstream provides
our Tribe with the necessary
funds to pursue other investments.
Third, we continue to work
on protecting the Tribe’s
most valuable resource, its
Water.
The Business Committee
held another round of community
meetings in October
of this year at the Tribal Auditorium
and in the communities
of Ft. Duchesne, Myton,
Randlett, and Whiterocks to
hear concerns, suggestions,
and recommendations from
Tribal Members about the
proposed changes to the 2009
Draft Tribal Water Rights
Compact.
We will continue to address
the concerns that you, the
Tribal member have on the
compact and water issues,
and we will continue to
fight to address water administration
problems and
jurisdiction issues related to
the Tribe’s water rights
I look forward to another
year of continued success for
the Ute Indian Tribe, so that
we can continue to build a
bright future for our Tribal
Membership for generations
to come. Thank You.
Tribe, Yampa Caroomp Ridley,
and Jr. Miss Ute Tribe,
Adrianna Kowchee, to the
Room. Ute Mountain Ute
Councilman Manuel Heart
spoke next. Loya Arrum on
behalf of Northern Ute Vice
Chairman Ron Wopsock
followed and told of how
the cutting of the tree was
an emotional experience
for her. Terry Knight, Ute
Mountain Ute, was the final
tribal speaker.
The lighting of the Capitol
Christmas Tree was held on
December 4 at 5pm Eastern
Time, 3PM Utah Time. The
Capitol Tree is the tree in
front of the Capitol, not to be
confused with the National
Christmas Tree which is
standing in front of the White
House. After some speeches
Speaker of the U.S. House
of Representatives John
Boehner (Ohio) along with
17 year old Ryan Shuster,
with a clear evening, lit the
Tree.
All the Colorado youth,
ages 5 – 19, who submitted
handmade ornaments for the
Capitol Christmas Tree, became
eligible for the drawing
for the trip to Washington DC
for the Christmas Tree Celebration.
Ryan was the lucky
Colorado student who won
the drawing to light the Tree.
Traditionally the Capitol
Christmas tree is lit by the
Speaker of the House and
the National Christmas Tree
is lit by the President and
the First Lady. The National
Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
was held on Thursday
December 6 th of which some
of our tribal members were
planning to attend.
The Capitol Christmas
tree is lit with approximately
10,000, energy saving, light
emitting diodes (LED) and
will be turned on from dusk
until 11pm each evening until
December 26 th . After the
lighting of the Tree, a Congressional
Reception was
held in the American Indian
Museum for all who attended
the Lighting Ceremony. Each
guest was given a bag of gifts
when they left the reception.
One Christmas tree ornament
that was made from beetle
killed trees was in the bags.
It is interesting to note
that former Colorado Senator
Chairwoman Irene Cuch invited the Ute delegation during the Christmas Tree Ceremony.
Christmas tree Ceremony
The Ute Indian Tribe is
honored to be a part of the
Capitol Christmas Tree ceremony.
I am joined by Ute Business
Committee Member
Frances Poowegup who has
brought her granddaughter
to DC – one of our future
leaders, and Clifford Duncan
a tribal elder, former councilman,
and spiritual leader.
Yampa Caroomp Ridley,
Little Miss Ute Tribe and
Adrianna Kowchee Junior
Miss Ute Tribe.
I would also like to acknowledge
our sister tribes,
the Southern Ute and Ute
Mountain Ute Tribes.
I am thankful for the tribal
members who traveled to DC
to be with this magnificent
tree as it was lit in celebration
of Christmas.
The Ute Indian Tribe is
made up of three bands, the
Uintah, the Uncompaghre,
and the Whiteriver Bands.
Frances is a member of the
Whiteriver Band.
The Whiteriver Band, or
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
was one of the truck drivers
to transport the U.S.
Capitol Christmas trees to
Washington D.C. He drove a
custom decorated, specially
equipped donated Mack
Truck. Senator Nighthorse
said it was a rigorous 5,500
mile trip with many 12 hour
days. Senator Nighthorse
also drove a Colorado Capitol
Tree to DC. in the year
2000 while he was in office.
This Capitol Tree is the third
Engelmann Spruce Tree that
has come from the State of
Colorado. Lynn Lockwood
also accompanied the Tree
along the route to Washington
DC.
In 1992 a Tree came from
the Chippewa National Forest/Cass
Lake near Bemidji,
Minnesota. Members of the
Chippewa Tribe performed
on the Patio. This may have
been when the Indian Tribes
first began participating in the
Capitol Christmas event. The
1996 Capitol Tree came from
Utah’s LaSal Nation Forest
near Moab, Utah.
The 2013 Capitol Christmas
Tree will be selected
from Washington State’s
Coalville National Forest
with invitation to the tribes
within that area to participate.
The forest is located in
the North East corner of the
State and North of Spokane
Washington. Representatives
from the Coalville National
Forest were in DC to gather
information on the process.
This is the first tree that will
come from the East Side of
the State.
I asked what will happen
to the trees after the holidays.
There hasn’t been a set decision
as to what will become of
the Christmas trees. There is
talk of using the trees to make
furniture. The ornaments
might go to the Museum. That
future of the trees might be
posted on the Christmas Tree
website.
You can follow the events
and get more information
on the web site: capitolchristmastree2012.org
and
face book at: 2012 Capitol
Christmas tree
(Several articles were used
for this report)
as they are know in the Ute,
the Yamparika, and this tree
are from the same land.
This was a land of forest
and abundant elk herds that
provide a homeland in a valley
beneath the Rockies and
along the winding Whiter
River.
The Whiteriver Band lived
here from the time immemorial
and are the only band
whose ancestral homeland
included the Yampa Valley
which is the present day
Whiteriver National Forrest.
This tree holds special
Representatives from the BIA Law Enforcement, BIA
Supt., and Justice Center Cordinator met with Ute Indian
Tribe Business Committee to address issues of concerns on
the Uintah & Ouray Reservation.
Darren Cruzan, the National Director of BIA Office of
Justice Services stated, “If we work together and don’t look
back we can be stronger. Law Enforcement can’t solve all
the issues here alone but if we work together, share goals,
strategy, and improving the quality of life of those living on
the reservation.”
Issues discussed were Law Enforcement Issues, Jurisdiction,
Drugs and Drug Trafficking, Civil Rights Abuse and
Justice facility update.
Fact Sheet:
November 1, 2012
The Ute Indian Tribe is seeking
legislation in the United
States Congress that will allow
the Utah Schools and Institutional
Trust Lands Administration
(SITLA) to exchange
minerals it owns in the Grand
County portion of the Hill Creek
Extension for Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) minerals
in the Uintah County portion
of the Hill Creek Extension.
What are the benefits of the
land exchange?
The mineral exchange will
give the Tribe full ownership
(surface and minerals) of the
Hill Creek Extension in Grand
County.
The Tribe can permanently
protect the pristine wilderness
and cultural resources of the
Hill Creek Extension in Grand
County.
The Tribe and SITLA have
agreed to jointly develop and
share revenues from the BLM
minerals that SITLA will get in
the Uintah County portion of the
Hill Creek Extension.
The exchange involves minerals
owned by SITLA and the
BLM within the Reservation
and costs the Tribe nothing.
Why does SITLA own minerals
in the Hill Creek Extension
on the Reservation?
In 1894, Congress passed
the Utah Enabling Act allowing
Utah to become a state. Section
6 allows Utah to get parcels of
open lands throughout Utah to
memories of years past and
the place that the Whiteriver
Band will always call home.
When I look at this beautiful
tree, I see a part of our Tribe
and I am proud to see it stand
alongside the United States
Capitol.
May this tree stand as an
example of the strong partnership
between all of the Ute
Tribes and the United States
Congress.
Turgrayak!
Chairwoman, Irene Cuch
Chief Brooks, Sal McDonald Asst. Special Agent in Charge,
Steve Juneau Deputy Dir. Law Enforcement and Darren Cruzan,
Patty Marks Attorney and Justice Center Coordinators.
bia Law enforCement
LegisLation to
CompLete a Land
exChange in the
hiLL Creek
extension
support public schools.
In 1897, as a part of allotment,
Congress passed an Act
opening the Uncompahgre
Reservation to non-Indian
settlement under the general
land laws of the United States.
When the Uncompahgre
Reservation was opened it was
considered “public domain”
and Utah acquired lands in this
area under Section 6 of the Utah
Enabling Act.
Even though Section 3 of
the Utah Enabling Act provides
that Utah cannot acquire Indian
lands, when Congress opened
the Uncompahgre Reservation
to the public domain Utah was
able to acquire lands in this area
under Section 6.
SITLA got these minerals
under Section 6 when Utah
became a state. These minerals
are not part of the Navel Oil
Shale Reserve (NOSR) that was
returned to the Tribe in 2000.
Why is legislation needed to
complete the land exchange?
In 1948, Congress passed an
Act adding 510,000 acres to the
Uintah and Ouray Reservation.
This area, the Hill Creek Extension,
was originally part of the
Uncompahgre Reservation.
The 1948 Act recognized that
Utah owned lands in the Hill
Creek Extension and provided
a process for Utah to exchange
its lands for other lands.
However, the 1948 Act was
unclear about the lands and minerals
that could be exchanged. It
was amended in 1955 and needs
to be amended again for BLM
to process the exchange.