Four council members were sworn into the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s government Friday, Nov. 7, during a ceremony that honored past councilors and signaled a new era for the tribe of more than 2,000 members.
Incoming Chairman Selwyn Whiteskunk, Towaoc councilors Conrad Jacket and Marilynn House, and White Mesa representative Gwen Cantsee were sworn into office by Chief Magistrate Adam Barnhurst. The ceremony included prayers, blessings, Ute words and drum-filled songs as the tribe welcomed new leaders, honored those moving on and charted a vision forward.
Several hundred people watched the inauguration from banquet tables inside the Ute Mountain Casino’s bingo hall. Seated among the audience were representatives from tribes across the Southwest, young tribal royalty and Colorado government officials.
Speakers emphasized the tribe’s readiness to engage in the ongoing fight for justice and a secure future across Indian Country.
Selwyn Whiteskunk takes over the chairman seat after Manuel Heart stepped aside following nearly 30 years of service on the tribal council, including about 15 years as chairman. Whiteskunk has previously served as chairman.
“There’s a lot of work that’s ahead of us,” Whiteskunk said. “There’s a lot of rough waters that we have to go through. But as a council, understanding what our roles are to be and the outcome that we’re trying to attain to keep us afloat, to keep us together.”
Conrad Jacket was seated as a tribal council member in Towaoc after being reelected. Marilynn House, a former chairman’s secretary, was sworn in to an additional Towaoc seat after a tie in October with candidate Evelyn Lopez led to a runoff election. House begins her first term on the tribal council.
Both House and Jacket addressed the pressures facing the tribe and the importance of continued advocacy for the Ute Mountain Ute people.
“Whether that fight is on a federal, state, or local level, we will always bring Ute Mountain Ute to the table,” said House. “This will be a challenge, and it will not be easy due to what our nation is going through right now. But being united as a tribal council and as a community will keep us strong.”
“I like to say whatever happens on the federal level, we feel it here. We feel it here now with all the SNAP benefits that are not here,” said Jacket.
Jacket and House take over seats previously held by Darwin Whiteman Jr. and Tawnie Knight.
Gwen Cantsee joins the council as the representative for the tribe’s White Mesa satellite reservation in southern Utah. Cantsee, a former White Mesa administrator, replaces Malcolm Lehi.
“We all have something special within us,” Cantsee said. “And that’s one thing that I was taught by my mother and my father is be humble, but be a force to be reckoned with. Be someone that’s going to support and lead and give your people some hope.”
Cantsee said she will prioritize the people she represents in White Mesa.
“They are my rock. The reason why I’m standing here today is because I built on what they gave me to build on.”
As two of three council members stepping aside, both Lehi and Whiteman Jr. spoke, reminding incoming tribal representatives how challenging the job can be. Each emphasized the need to work together and stand up for the Ute people.
“What you don’t know, what you don’t see is that when you got in, there’s this roller coaster sitting there,” said Whiteman Jr. “You get into that roller coaster and you go 10,000 different directions, every day trying to serve the people. Which way do you go?”
Lehi recalled advice from a past council member.
“He told me, ‘You’re going to grow white hair by the time you end of your term.’ And now you look at me. I got a white beard and white hair,” said Lehi. “But not only that, but a lot of wisdom comes with that.”
Former councilwoman Tawnie Knight was unable to attend the inauguration, Heart said.
Seated council members Alston Turtle and Kathryn Jacket spoke about gratitude and tribal unity. Other tribal representatives, including Shaun Chapoose, Uncompahgre Band representative for the Ute Indian Tribe, and Southern Ute Chairman Melvin Baker, also addressed the crowd. Many presented gifts to current and incoming council members in honor of Manuel Heart’s departure.
Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera announced a proclamation from Gov. Jared Polis declaring Nov. 7 “Manuel Heart Day.”
Heart embraced new Chairman Selwyn Whiteskunk, said his farewell to the crowd and handed over the keys to his office.
“Remember that change can only come about at the speed of trust,” Heart said in his farewell speech. “From all of us. So that means you have to understand what it’s about, where we’re heading, what’s the purpose of it. Is it looking out for the children and grandchildren that are not here yet?”
