Indigenous Day is celebrated

About 200 community members, including Gov. Olene Walker, gathered Monday to celebrate a little known state holiday — Indigenous Day — in a ceremony described as the academy awards for the American Indian community.

November is Utah American Indian Heritage month, and Forest Cuch, director of the Division of Indian Affairs, said it is a time to recognize the contributions American Indians have made to the state.

"We have been living in the shadow for so long . . . this is a time to celebrate our common heritage and our leaders who have contributed to our state and our community," he said.

Division leaders said their goal is to educate more people about the other side of the Thanksgiving story — not just the pilgrims, but the role that the American Indians played.

"When you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, remember it's an indigenous menu — corn, potatoes and even turkey," said keynote speaker Joseph Myers.

Award winners were Clifford Duncan (Ute) who received the Honor Our Elders Award; Brian Brayboy (Lumbee), the Utah's Outstanding Educator Award; John Warner (Northwest Band Shoshone), Outstanding Developer Award; and Clarence Rockwell (Navajo/Dine) Outstanding Manager Award.

Certificates of Appreciation went to Carey Wold, formerly the business manager for the Ute Tribe's Uinta River Technology; Jorge Alvarado, former volunteer at the Point of the Mountain Department of Corrections facility; Curleen Pfieffer, who enabled several Utah American Indian youths to visit the Maori people of New Zealand; and Nino Reyos, who represents American Indian people in the performing arts playing flute music.

The Unsung Hero Awards went to Lenny Foster, who has spent the last 28 years fighting to ensure that incarcerated American Indians have the right to worship with access to their traditional ceremonies; and Michael Johnson, who was responsible for the renovation of more than 320 homes under the Navajo Nation Weatherization Program.

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