Shayne White Thunder

Mique Nuchu,

My name is Shayne Morning Star White Thunder. My Ute name is Tөmөsi’iru “Winter Rose.”

My grandmother Mikki gave me that name because I was born in winter and the rose signifies our people. My Cheyenne name is Azem’heh “Rearing Woman.” I am named after my Nishgit (grandma) Bobbie.

My mother is Heather White Thunder, and my father is Seth Roubideaux. My paternal grandmother is Mikki Naranjo, and my great-grandparents are the late Eugene Naranjo and the late Dixie Naranjo. My maternal grandparents are Bobbie White Thunder from El Reno, Oklahoma and the late Ross Denny.

I come from the Moache-Capote bands and I’m a descendent of Buckskin Charlie. I am also Cheyenne and Arapaho from my mother’s side.

I am the current 2023-2024 Little Miss Southern Ute. I am nine and a half years old, and I attend school at Florida Mesa Elementary in Durango, Colo. in the fourth grade.

I like to read, play video games, draw/paint, ride my bike, and I am learning how to bead and sew. I enjoy representing the Southern Ute Tribe and I continue to learn every day.

The following are events that I have attended and participated in this quarter:

September

• Attended the Southern Tribal Fair. I also rode my friendly horse in the parade. 9/8, 9/9/, & 9/10.
• Attended the Tribal Fair Rodeo 9/15 & 9/16.
• Participated in the Cowboy Parade in Durango 9/30.
• Attended the Totah Drums Powwow in Farmington, N.M. 9/30.

October

• Attended the SUIMA Round Dance 10/10.
• Attended the Fort Lewis College Social Dance for Indigenous Day 10/10.
• Participated in the Red Canyon Powwow in Moab, Utah 10/21 & 10/22.
• Royalty set up a booth at the Halloween Carnival for the community and I helped take pictures at our booth 10/31.

November

• I participated in the Meet and Greet event for Fort Lewis College and Haskell Indian Nations University basketball players at SunUte and went to the basketball game 11/3 & 11/4.
• Participated, danced, and helped serve food at the Southern Ute Veterans Powwow 11/11.
• Attended and participated in the “Rock your Mocs” event, sponsored by the Culture Department 11/15.
• Greeted people at the Durango School District NAPAC event at Fort Lewis College 11/15.
• Participated and danced at the Bayfield Primary school 11/16.
• Participated/danced at the Sunnyside School 11/17.
• Greeted and helped serve elders at the Tribal Thanksgiving Dinner 11/18.
• Participated and danced at the Ignacio Middle School 11/21.
• Traveled and participated at the Fort Duchesne Thanksgiving Powwow 11/23, 11/24, & 11/25.

I have enjoyed attending different events and traveling to represent the Southern Ute Tribe and meeting new people. I am excited to attend upcoming events.

Tog’oiak’

Shayne Morning Star White Thunder

Little Miss Southern

2023 – 2024