ST. GEORGE — A guided hike to native petroglyphs and two musical performances hosted by Conserve Southwest Utah will serve to highlight National Native American Heritage Month and help kickstart the annual Shivwits Band Toy Drive.
“We are starting our 28th annual Shivwits Toy Drive and are so grateful for the amazing support of this kind, giving community,” drive coordinator James Sevy said. “Each year, especially during COVID, we cross our fingers and go forward, hoping to reach impossible goals, yet we are always surprised by how it works out.”
The toy drive benefits the youth of local tribal bands of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, the Cedar Band of Paiutes and Kanosh band of Paiute Indians.
Last year, donations made it possible to fill the needs of youth 17 and younger. Hams and gift cards were given to elders. Under the direction of the tribal council members, enough funds remained to award eight mini-scholarships for higher education students.
“Needless to say, the needs are still there and, in some cases, have been amplified by the economic circumstances we are in the midst of, mostly due to high inflation,” Sevy said. “So as in the past, we are looking to this philanthropic community to help us make a better Christmas for our native neighbors amongst us.”
M&S Turquoise and its employees have volunteered and helped coordinate and run the charitable drive.
Besides the toy drive, the finances collected will benefit local Native American students attending Utah Tech University.
Under the direction of Shivwits Band member Glenn Rogers, a hike to the petroglyphs above the Santa Clara River on the Tempi’po’op Trail will take place. This 3.5-mile roundtrip hike is rated moderate in level of difficulty and will provide information about the native people of the area.
The trail is a 1.2-mile hike into the first set of petroglyphs, with more of the trail continuing along the edge of a cliff to more petroglyphs and the Upper Graveyard Trail. The plan is for the guided hike to go to the first set of petroglyphs and back.
The hike will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. and is expected to take an estimated two hours. RSVP here if planning to attend the hike.
The other two events will be musical and dance performances by the youth and adult members of the tribal bands. In the past, these included drumming, powwow dances and more.
The two performance dates are on Monday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Both performances will be held at the Pioneer Courthouse located at 97 E. St. George Blvd. RSVP here for the performances.
Organizers ask those who attend to consider a $25 per person donation. They will also be taking toy donations at each event.
“If you are not able to attend any of the events but still would like to donate, cash donations and toys can be dropped off at M&S Turquoise located at 53 E. St. George Blvd,” Sevy said.
Donations also can be mailed to M&S Turquoise, 53 E. St. George Blvd, St. George, UT 84770.
Credit card donations can be made by calling 435-628-0393 or by Venmo: @MS Turquoise. All donations are used to buy gifts or gift cards and used as scholarship funds.
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