Celebrating, understanding Native American culture

MONTROSE  —This Friday and Saturday are full of cultural celebration, remembrance and understanding, as the Ute Indian Museum hosts its first film festival and Indian market prior to its annual Chipeta Day Celebration.

Friday's events start at 2 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion with a free Indian market full of American Indian art including bead and silver work. Vendors are coming from Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, Ute Indian Museum and Lakota Sioux CJ Brafford said. The market closes at 8 p.m.

A silent auction will be held throughout Friday and Saturday, that also includes Indian sculptures, prints, paintings and jewelry.

A cash bar opens at 6 p.m. World Premier Flutist R. Carlos Nakai, along with cultural drumming and music, will entertain guest before the film festival.

"It's going to be a very powerful showing of these films. I encourage people to come out and get a better understanding of what is currently going on," Brafford said.

The three films showing are "Saving the American Horse," "American Outrage," and "Crisis at Mt. Tenbo."

Special guest, Western Shoshone Elder Carrie Dann will speak.

Dann, who's story is told in "American Outrage," has been fighting the United States government for more than 33 years with her sister Mary, who passed away in 2005. The film portrays the Western Shoshone Nation's struggle to uphold the Treaty of Ruby Valley in Nevada.

"It's a very personal story," Brafford said. "And a lot of anger for what the government is doing."

Dann is also in "Crisis at Mt. Tenbo," which depicts the current struggles of the Western Shoshone to stop gold mining on their sacred mountain by Canadian company Barrick Mining.

Dann will speak after the films, and Brafford said she'll be presented with a star quilt, which is given by her people to someone in honor and respect for their accomplishments.

The films last until 9:30 p.m. and are $18 for adults, $15 for museum members and $7.50 for children. Music and the videos will be available to purchase.

The 9:30 a.m. blessing at Chipeta's grave at the Ute Indian Museum kicks off Saturday's Chipeta Day Celebration. The museum is free all day, as are the events.

At 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., cultural programs take place that include Indian drummers and singers, dancing, including "Bear Dancing," Tribal leaders, sign language and flute entertainment. Visitors also have an opportunity to hear Dann speak.

At noon, the Northern Ute Tribe is sponsoring a Buffalo Feast.

The silent auction concludes at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m., participants can learn to play the Native American flute (flutes are available). The Ute Bronze Bear will also be raffled.

Chipeta Day started in 2002 as a way to gather the local tribe in celebration of Chipeta's life and return to the lands where her tribe, now part of the Northern Ute Tribe, were first located, Brafford said. Chipeta was brought back home in March 1925 and more than 5,000 people attended her funeral. However, only two Native Americans were able to attend because of the strict government restrictions on the reservations, she said.

"In 2002, we had our first to remember, honor and respect," Brafford said.

For more information, contact the Ute Indian Museum at (970) 249-3098.