American Indian Caucus Day

February 24, 2021


Every year the Utah Division of Indian Affairs invites state and Tribal leaders, legislators, community members and partners to attend our annual American Indian Caucus Day at the Capitol. Caucus Day provides an opportunity for state government to maintain and strengthen its relationship with Utah’s eight sovereign Tribal nations by encouraging discussions between state and Tribal leaders.

About:

Every year, the Utah Division of Indian Affairs hosts its annual American Indian Caucus Day, an event where legislative, state, and Tribal leaders meet to discuss issues important to Tribal governments. Caucus Day builds upon efforts by state and Tribal leaders’ commitment to improving state-Tribal relations. 

This year, we held the event virtually, but we will still hosted a day filled with presentations on topics important to Utah’s Native American population.

Tribal Leaders from Utah’s eight Tribal Nations: the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, met with Governor Cox to discuss Tribal priorities.

As part of the Caucus Day event, we rebroadcasted the 2/04/2021 Statehood presentation: Wintertime Native American Tales. This was presented in coordination with Utah Humanities and features storytellers from some of Utah's Tribal nations. Moderated by Kai Lameman of the Navajo Nation. 

Storytellers:
Larry Cesspooch (Ute)
Eleanor Tom (Paiute)
Gaylene Dawse (Dine')
Michael Gross (Shoshone)
Antonio Williams (Dine’)
And, Rose Jakub (Dine’)

2/24/2021 American Indian Caucus Day Agenda

10:00 AM: Welcome

10:05 AM: Cultural Performance

10:15 AM: The Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018

11:00 AM: Restoring Ancestral Winds presentation

12:00 PM: Utah ICWA Alert presentation

12:45 PM: Utah Legislative Update

1:45 PM: Break

2:00 PM: Meeting with Governor Cox & Tribal Leaders (Closed to the public)

2:00-4:00 PM: Wintertime Native American Tales (Previously recorded and courtesy of Utah Humanities)

*TRIGGER WARNING: Some content discussed might be sensitive to some attendees.

James Toledo11:46 AM