On May 6, the Southern Ute Museum and Culture Center transitioned its operation from a Board of Directors to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Permanent Fund. Two weeks and one day later, the Temporary Gallery opened “Mountain Lion!,” an exhibit developed by Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

From delivery to completion, the exhibit took two weeks and enlisted 33 people – a much-appreciated contribution of time, muscle and technical support toward an exhibit that will be on display for one year.

The exhibit features large dioramas, calls of the lion, fossil representations and many artifacts. The successful installation of “Mountain Lion!” in one gallery has allowed an opportunity to redefine and reinvent other areas of the museum, including a project to create a permanent Veterans Exhibit.

The Welcome Gallery rotunda, which invites visitors into the museum, has been redefined as a mini-gallery with a three month exhibit rotation.

As people enter the museum, they are greeted by the current exhibit titled “Ute Seasons” (through mid-August). The exhibit depicts seasonal relevance for the Southern Ute Tribe, beginning with “Spring” and recognition of Bear Dance, and proceeding to Summer, Fall and Winter. The next Welcome Gallery exhibit will be the Bennet Thompson Collection (August-October), including Bennett’s miniatures of shields, lances and other male-oriented items. Thompson, a Southern Ute Tribal member, was a longtime advocate of creating a tribal museum.

The Permanent Gallery is being redefined through a theme of “Then ... and Now”. Redefinition includes the installation of objects from the museum’s own collection and the creation of displays that are Ute specific. The theme, “Then ...,” or the history of the Ute people, is conveyed through large photographic curtains, life-size replicas, informative text panels and child-friendly interactives. Recent repairs and renovation of electronic equipment completes the gallery through touch screens and audio/visual presentations, including the multiscreen presentation, “Circle of Life.”

Also located in the Permanent Gallery is the theme, “... and Now.” This exhibit has a two month rotation schedule and highlights current events within the sphere of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. The first “... and Now” exhibit will showcase “KSUT: Featuring 40 Years 1976-2016” (mid-August to September 2017).

The daily focus in the museum is the 26 cases in the Permanent Gallery: Each case has been meticulously cleaned and vacuumed. Preselected items have begun the migration from the museum’s collection vault to the Permanent Gallery display cases. Once the displays are complete, about 300 items will be available for viewing.

The Southern Ute Museum is located on the Southern Ute Indian reservation at 77 CR 517, Ignacio, just south of the Sky Ute Casino and Resort.

For more information, call 563-9583 or visit www.southernute-nsn.gov/southern-ute-museum-and-cultural-center. The museum is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Come visit and see the transition for yourself.

Linda Baker is the Tribal Transition representative. Reach her at lbaker@southernute-nsn.gov.