ST. GEORGE — The Cedar Band of Paiutes Youth presented a Native American flute and traditional pow wow dance Tuesday evening at the Pioneer Courthouse in St. George. Tribal elders of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and Shivwits Band also gave insight into their culture at the event.
Corinna Bow, chairwoman of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, shared some childhood challenges growing up during the Indian termination policy period, during which the United States Government targeted the Paiute Indian Tribe for termination. Despite the trials of her youth, Bow said she has some fond memories of her mother trying to make Christmas and birthdays special.
The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah regained federal recognition on April 3, 1980, by an act of Congress. The tribe consists of five constituent bands in Southern Uta: Cedar, Indian Peaks, Kanosh, Koosharem and Shivwits.
“We honor and respect those individuals that were diligent in getting us where we are today,” Bow said on Tuesday.
The program continued with Roger Clark sharing some Native American philosophy and introducing the Cedar Band of Paiutes Youth who performed flute music and a pow wow dance.
“The Creator gave us this land and to sustain our lives. So we care for it, watch over it, and we only take the things that we need,” Clark said. “When an animal is taken, or cedar leaves or sage was harvested, a prayer of gratitude is given to the creator for the things we’re able to receive.”
The Native American flute reflects the balance of harmony within Native Americans, Clark said, adding that every note on the flute is in harmony with one another.
“Listening to and playing the flute can bring balance and harmony back to a troubled soul. But because the musical scores are not needed for this, the notes are composed right here at the microphone. No song is ever the same,” he said. “You’ll notice when some of our youth get up and play, they close their eyes. The reason that they close their eyes is so they can remove distractions from the room. So the things you’re hearing are fluid and come from the soul from the heart of the flute player.”
Heading into the future
During her comments, Bow noted that the Cedar City Band of Paiutes had a groundbreaking ceremony in 2021 for their larger FourPoints Health Facility. The new building will expand access to health resources for tribe members and southern Utah residents.
FourPoints Health is a medical facility run by the Paiute Tribe of Utah. It provides medical, dental, mental and behavioral health options for community members and Paiute tribe members.
“The tribe owns and operates five different health clinics,” she said. “You are all invited to come out to our health clinics because they’re open to everybody. So, take advantage of it. We have all the vaccinations and everything to go with that.”
Bow also said the tribe will celebrate the regaining of their federal recognition with the “42nd Annual PITU Restoration Gathering and Pow Wow” on June 10-12 at 440 N Paiute Drive in Cedar City. The event is open to the public.
Photo Gallery
Thalia Guerrero, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Queen, and her grandmother Corinna Bow, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah chairwoman, sing a traditional song at the Pioneer Court House, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News
Members of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and guests shared their culture at the Pioneer Courthouse, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News
Loretta Savala, member of the Kaibab Paiute tribe of Arizona, sings with Glenn Rogers at the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah cultural presentation at the Pioneer Courthouse, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News
Ashton Aguayo performs at the Pioneer Courthouse, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News
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