From the grandmother who inspired younger generations to the woman who helped children start a business, the spotlight Monday at the Indigenous Day award celebration was on those who contribute to Utah's American Indians.

"We're honoring anyone who has made any kind of contribution to improving the quality of life of American Indians," said Forrest Cuch, director of the state Division of Indian Affairs. "It's just simply because we appreciate them and they often get overlooked. ... We don't get much, and when we do get something, we appreciate it."

Non-Indians, including a pair of Deseret Morning News reporters, were also honored during the celebration at the Red Lion Hotel.

Grandma Tinhorn, who passed away this year, was remembered with the "Honor our Elders Award."

Also honored was Elaine Bland, a volunteer for Volunteers in Service to America, and the students who run Lickity Split Chocolate Studio. Bland helped found the business, which is operated by Navajo and Ute children and earns about $20,000 a year. "It's really a unique business," Cuch said.

Receiving the "Putting Utah on the Map Award" was the company Suh Datsing Technology for being one of the nation's top 25 American Indian IT companies.

Honored this year with "certificates of appreciation" were Deseret Morning News reporters Dennis Romboy and Lucinda Dillon Kinkead for their five-part series this fall on Utah's American Indians.

"What's unusual is having such accurate articles that are so widespread," Cuch said. "They talked to the right people, they did the research."

Other certificate recipients were:

• Jim Pritchard and Joe Bennion for providing traditional Indian spiritual services to American Indian inmates in the Utah Department of Corrections' Gunnison facility.

• Eleanor Ironlightning for advocacy using traditional Indian beliefs and culture to benefit all of Utah's American Indians.

• Richard Carrig and Bonnie Carrig of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for support and funding of opportunities for American Indian development.

• Jane Shock of American Express and Robert Rendon of Zions Bank for willingness to assist American Indians pursuing financial solvency.

• Richard Walker of the Olene Walker Housing Board for helping Indians pursue housing opportunities.

Other awards:

• Brenda Beyal, "Utah's Outstanding Educator Award;" Phyllis Nassi, "Utah's American Indian Outstanding Manager Award," for her work in cancer prevention; Melissa Zito, "Utah's American Indian Outstanding Program Manager Award," for her work in improving health care services; Ron and Charla Hatch, "Outstanding Utah American Indian Youth Services Award," for providing a safe shelter and education for hundreds of foster children through Raindancer Inc.; Lynn Hall, an advocate for cancer prevention, "Unsung Hero Award;" John Jurrius, manager of Ute tribal assets, "Utah American Indian Visionary Award."

Special Recognition Awards went to Roger Burnett, state Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, George Dimas and Gayle McKeachnie.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com