On Monday, February 5, Miss Southern Ute Autumn Sage spoke at the storytelling event at the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum.
“The story I'm going to be telling is a Navajo creation story,” she began. “The great spirit was Father Sky and Mother Earth, from whence all life sprang. The crossing of their hands and feet signifies the union of heaven and earth, bound eternally together by the Rainbow Guardian. Regardless of which direction we may look, we find sky and earth fused as one.”
Elder Cassandra Atencio spoke at the event and shared a story about the creation of cedar trees.
“The Creator made the trees, and as each tree was created, the Creator asked what they were going to do for their being created,” said Atencio. “The Cedar spoke, and he said, ‘I'll be green for all seasons, and I'll be shelter for little birds who stay around for the winter seasons to add cheer to the cold seven days. Also, I'll be a shade and shelter for all creatures too, and most of all, mankind, the two-legged, when they need help, I'll be there for them.’”
After the event, Atencio said she felt good sharing her stories with the community.
“If we all feel good together, it creates that good energy. I think it's good to tell the stories of a long time ago and what the plants mean to us. Talk about those plants that we utilize, why you respect them, and the way that we're supposed to look at life spiritually to help keep ourselves grounded,” said Atencio.
This story is part of Voices From the Edge of the Colorado Plateau. Voices is a reporting collaboration between KSUT Public Radio and KSJD Community Radio. It seeks to cover underrepresented communities in the Four Corners. The multi-year project will cover Native, Indigenous, Latino/Latina, and other communities across southwest Colorado.
Explore more Voices stories on the KSUT website.