The Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado Olympians and Aspen community will join to celebrate the closing of an abundant snow season this Saturday, April 10th at 3 PM at the Gondola Plaza at the base of Aspen Mountain. The event is co-hosted by Native American Olympic Team Foundation (NVF), co-founded by Olympic skier Suzy Chaffee, and Integrative Sustainable Solutions (ISS), founded by UN Eco Award winner Joanie Klar.

Inspired by this season's snowblessings, the event will also celebrate Aspen's vital role in NVF receiving the united support of ski industry leaders to create Native ski/board programs throughout the U.S. "These programs strengthen the future of skiing," said Michael Berry, President of the National Ski Areas Association.

Aspen's Gratitude Ceremony is a result of a "Thank You Snowdance" on November 8, by the Northern Utes, Denver Indians, and Southern Ute traditional Elder Eddie Box Jr, at the Colorado Snow Sports Expo in Denver. At the suggestion of Abenaki Olympian Billy Kidd, the gesture was in appreciation to Colorado Ski Areas for the tribal skiing/boarding programs. The snowdance resulted in remarkable early snow.

The Native American tradition is to give gratitude to Creator for blessings. Therefore, the community will celebrate its good fortune on Saturday with Aspen's Mayor Helen Klanderud welcoming everyone to the Ceremony. The Olympians and World Champions who will be coaching the Ute youths, will be introduced, and in turn have an opportunity to see Nature thru the eyes of the First Caretakers.

The Ute stars of the Salt Lake Olympic Opening will share their singing, drumming and dancing, led by Northern Ute Elder Loya Cesspooch Arrum. Following a Hawaiian prayer song and native environmental perspective by Woody Vaspra, President of the World Council of Elders, everyone will be invited for a Friendship Circle Dance. The mission of NVF is "to create joyful unity through sports to help heal Mother Earth for all our children."

The Utes and Olympians, will launch the weekend at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 9th, with a dance presentation for the valley children at the Yellowbrick School gymnasium. A welcoming "Beach Party" at Aspen's new Recreation Center and dinner reception on Red Mountain will follow. After Saturday's 3PM ceremony there will be a benefit dinner hosted by the MVP's (Most Valuable Players) for NVF's Aspen Native programs. Please call 970-922-7336 for invitations and further information. www.nativevoices.org
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Contact: joanieklar@aol.com, tel: 970-922 7336 or cell 970-948 5660, or suzynativevoices@aol.com, or tel: 970-922 5406,

caption: Northern Ute Torrance Blue Feather happy dancing and skiing in his Aspen ancestral mountains.