Valley Becomes Model for President's Health Initiative

March 2003 . American Indian Report

Utes winning Aspen's Winterskol Parade

A 3-day long event united all of Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley toward a goal of providing a variety of sports activities to improve the health and self-esteem of Indians. From Aspen to Glenwood Springs, members of the Ute Indian Tribe of Fort Duchesne, Utah, skied, swam, skated, danced and shared culture.

The event, which included an announcement that the Utes will always be able to participate in Aspen's new recreational facility for free, just as they have at Aspen's skating rink, all the way down to Glenwood's Sunlight Ski Area, helped make the valley a model to the President's Initiative to restore the health of the "undeserved heroic Native Americans."

Native American Olympic Team Foundation (NVF) was chosen to spearhead the American Indian portion of this nationwide, ethnically diverse initiative to bring Olympic spirit and sports opportunities to youth. NVF was chosen because of its success in previous similar ventures, said NVF co-founder and former Olympic skier Suzy Chaffee. In the past NVF has been instrumental in encouraging the snow sports industry to give $650,000 in clothing, equipment and lift tickets to the tribes and gaining a pledge from the U.S. Olympic Alumni Association to teach the youth.

On Feb. 4, the Denver Nuggets honored the American Indians of Colorado at a half-time show during a Chicago Bulls game that featured top Indian basketball players and dancers. The Nuggets also will lead a National Native Basketball camp next summer as part of the initiative. Later this year, NVF also has planned a skiing-skating celebration honoring Naomi Lang, a Kanik who just won her fifth national ice dancing title. NVF also plans a recognition ceremony for American Indian star athletes as the White House.

"We want American Indians to have a new set of heroes. We love our warrior heroes but we want peace heroes too." said Chaffee.

Sports helps American Indians by improving self-esteem and improving their general outlook on life, Chaffee said. A ski program that gives skiing time to Indian students who do well in school actually has encouraged the young people to get better grades. Outdoor sports also help Indians connect with their spirituality and teaches non-Indians about ecology.

James Martinez, a local Ute (who carried the Olympic Torch through Aspen), a volunteer with Native Voices, helps William Miller of the Northern Ute Tribe get started on skis for the first time. Aspen Ski Co. furnished the tribe and the volunteers with ski passes to Snowmass resort.