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Written by Tracie Yellowman Tso, Intern, Utah Division of Indian Affairs
Photos by Kevin Edwards, Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement
What an incredible day as we held our 2025 Utah American Indian Day on the Hill on Feb. 6 in the rotunda of the Utah State Capitol! We were honored to host an inspiring community event. James Toledo opened the program with an informative presentation about the legislative process and inspiring civic engagement. Craig Sandoval provided the audience with inspiring words to set the tone for the event. Rhonda “Honey” Duvall’s powerful song resonated throughout the capitol as she sang a beautiful song. The youth of the Echoing Spirit Dancers troupe captivated the audience with their impressive cultural attire. Keynote speaker, Larry Echo Hawk, of the Pawnee Oklahoma Nation shared invaluable wisdom and encouragement. He reflected on his long and impactful career in Indian Country and his current role as a special counsel and advisor to Utah’s Governor and Attorney General on Indian Affairs. Through his speech, Councilman Jason Walker, of the Northwestern Band Shoshone Nation, continued the message about the importance of unity and collaboration between tribes, state government, and most importantly, youth.
Sanae Fujii, of the Kainai Blackfoot and Lakota Sioux, beautifully bridged cultures by singing a unique opera composition by Zitkála-Šá (also formerly known as Gertrude Simmons who was Yankton Sioux) with her eloquent singing abilities. Rose Jakub’s uplifting cultural song filled the rotunda with warmth and comfort, as she bestowed a message of having a safe journey home to end the program.
These powerful speakers and performances showcased the rich diversity of Utah’s American Indian community. Exhibitors from across the state shared important information and resources with the community. One community member said about the available resources onsite, “this was a one stop shop for me, I was able to get all the information I needed from the organizations here.”
A special thank you to our sponsor, Navajo Transitional Energy Company, whose generous support was significant in offsetting expenses for this instrumental event to uplift American Indian voices, work, and stories.
View the our department’s, Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, photo gallery to see the amazing moments captured at the event. Next year’s event is scheduled for January 27, 2026.
