During the summer of this past year, Colorado landowner Rich Snyder reached out to the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. He had been working on and living on a lot of land in the San Luis area of southern Colorado that he purchased only a few years ago.
The power of the Ute Indian Tribe’s historic presence on that land overwhelmed him.
Ute Tribal Business Committee Members thank Mr. Snyder
“I bought a lot of land that looks like your people lived on with buildings, graves ... was a very sacred place. Would love to have the land checked out and give it to your people ... it has given peace to me to be there.” In late September, Rich signed over the deed at the county clerk’s office to the Ute Indian Tribe. Rich told volunteers for the Tribe who visited the site in late September that the land has given him great joy but he believes it belongs to the Ute people.
From the lot of elevated land, one can look toward the southwest and see the Ute Mountain in northern New Mexico. This region is the area of the Colorado and New Mexico border known to be Ute ancestral land. In the 1880’s, bands of the Ute people were expelled from Colorado in a vicious land-grabbing campaign led by politicians and the media of the day. “The Utes Must Go!” declared editorials in leading papers of the time and the several bands of the Utes were marched out of Colorado into Utah, or pursued like common criminals in Colorado. “Every tribe has its own ‘Trail of Tears’” said Business Committee member Shaun Chapoose. “This was ours.”
On Thursday October 25th, the Business Committee of the Ute Indian Tribe welcomed Colorado landowner Rich Snyder to a reception at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Conference in Denver. Luke Duncan, Chairman of the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee said:
“This good man reached out to the Ute Tribe, on his own, to return this land to us. We hope it can inspire others to take similar actions.” The Ute Indian Tribe recently established the Ute Land Trust, a non-profit organization that can help facilitate transfers of land ownership or rights, including through cultural conservation easements.
About the Ute Indian Tribe - The Ute Indian Tribe resides on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in northeastern Utah. Three bands of Utes comprise the Ute Indian Tribe: the Whiteriver Band, the Uncompahgre Band and the Uintah Band. The Tribe has a membership of more than three thousand individuals, with over half living on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The Ute Indian Tribe operates its own tribal government and oversees significant oil and gas deposits on its 4.5 million acre Reservation. The Tribal Business Committee is the governing council of the Tribe.
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The power of the Ute Indian Tribe’s historic presence on that land overwhelmed him.
Ute Tribal Business Committee Members thank Mr. Snyder
“I bought a lot of land that looks like your people lived on with buildings, graves ... was a very sacred place. Would love to have the land checked out and give it to your people ... it has given peace to me to be there.” In late September, Rich signed over the deed at the county clerk’s office to the Ute Indian Tribe. Rich told volunteers for the Tribe who visited the site in late September that the land has given him great joy but he believes it belongs to the Ute people.
From the lot of elevated land, one can look toward the southwest and see the Ute Mountain in northern New Mexico. This region is the area of the Colorado and New Mexico border known to be Ute ancestral land. In the 1880’s, bands of the Ute people were expelled from Colorado in a vicious land-grabbing campaign led by politicians and the media of the day. “The Utes Must Go!” declared editorials in leading papers of the time and the several bands of the Utes were marched out of Colorado into Utah, or pursued like common criminals in Colorado. “Every tribe has its own ‘Trail of Tears’” said Business Committee member Shaun Chapoose. “This was ours.”
On Thursday October 25th, the Business Committee of the Ute Indian Tribe welcomed Colorado landowner Rich Snyder to a reception at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Conference in Denver. Luke Duncan, Chairman of the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee said:
“This good man reached out to the Ute Tribe, on his own, to return this land to us. We hope it can inspire others to take similar actions.” The Ute Indian Tribe recently established the Ute Land Trust, a non-profit organization that can help facilitate transfers of land ownership or rights, including through cultural conservation easements.
About the Ute Indian Tribe - The Ute Indian Tribe resides on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in northeastern Utah. Three bands of Utes comprise the Ute Indian Tribe: the Whiteriver Band, the Uncompahgre Band and the Uintah Band. The Tribe has a membership of more than three thousand individuals, with over half living on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The Ute Indian Tribe operates its own tribal government and oversees significant oil and gas deposits on its 4.5 million acre Reservation. The Tribal Business Committee is the governing council of the Tribe.
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Ah Ho ! great offering to give back Love taht the land and spirits opened his heart and mind. and the blessing of peacefulness.
I imagine that they will make him an honorary member of the time an tell him that he and his descendants are forever welcome to walk the land he gave back to the tribe.
I wonder if he is a reincarnation of one of the Utes who was exiled from that place in the past. That is one way to get the land back.... peacefully. In any event, a truly noble gesture has been done.
Such a Wonderful thing to see! That land should ALWAYS be theirs! It belongs to them and They belong to It!!
de goden zullen je belonen voor je nobele daad
Blessings and Honor sent to this gentleman from Canada. We live in the lands of the Blackfoot|Blackfeet Reservation. As a archaelogist, it is a blessing to find evidence from our people wbo walked, live and hunted on these lands before us.May Creator bless the reunification of the land once taken and returned to the Ute people.
I have been fantasizing about this happening all over the country. I am glad to see the trend has begun. May more and more and more land return to the people who have gently lived upon it for so many, many, many generations.
Honoring generosity. Honoring the sacredness of place. Honoring some restoration. Thank you.
Snyder.! People like you remind us there are still people in this world that beleive in what is right. Im glad this land has brought you peace. Our creator knows you are a Beautiful soul and spirit. This land came t o you for a reason. I hope our people and you can help each other in the future. Its people like you that make me beleive we regardless of race , beleifs, lifestyle , or whatever differences there may be... We can all continue to build wonder, powerful and strong relationships with each other asour Creator intended for us in the beginning. My love and thanks to you. ����
Wow that so net to here
so wonderful to hear! Brings my heart great joy! Maybe more will follow example, Like the federal government!
That is a story I love to hear about. May others do the same and help protect the only home we all have.
OMG! This is wonderful I don't have words to describe my emotions right now. I'm extremely happy. Thanks God
I am delighted for the Ute People and hope it is only the beginning of a bright future for all Nations...The World know what is happening and the destruction Trump is causing but please persevere and continue your struggle...you will win in the end...
This is wonderful. Thank you Mr. Synder.
This made me cry , it's wonderful to have such great people like Mr Snyder , Thank you A'HO
Wonderful landscape ! Long may it be preserved by its original people...
AHO blessed is he who walks the red road what a wonderful thing for this man to do it should encourage others across this country to do the same as was done in other areas. This is unique to me for I live in Colorado Mountains. AHO young man may the ancestors smile on your graciousness.
How beautiful! I sincerely hope that this will encourage others to do the same. Their history with the white man is HORRENDOUS!! God Bless!!
This was so touching, his generosity is beyond words,I believe God is in control ❤
Beautiful, just beautiful. This touches my heart and soul so deeply, and I hope the rest of the people who live on land stolen from the Nations will begin to think more clearly and do much of the same, because this part of our earth belonged to the Nations, and should be returned to their tribes. Think with your hearts and be generous. A'ho!
This man's action gives me hope hat many more will follow his example. A'ho.