Hope Scheppelman, a local Republican candidate for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, removed the social media post featuring a ceremonial sweat lodge after the Southern Ute Indian Tribe criticized it for misrepresenting the tribe’s political stance and disrespecting its cultural practices.
The video, which showed Scheppelman speaking to the camera following a sweat ceremony, included an image of the lodge and appeared to imply that she had been formally invited by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
In a statement Friday, the tribe said the post falsely suggested it had invited Scheppelman to the ceremony and that she used the event for campaign purposes.
The tribe also objected to the public display of a ceremonial sweat lodge, calling it an exploitation of its cultural traditions.
As of Monday, the video had been removed from Scheppelman’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
In a later statement, Scheppelman said she had been invited by a tribal elder who served as one of her counselors during treatment for alcohol abuse recovery. She said she did not intend to imply that she had been invited in an official capacity or had received an endorsement from the Tribal Council.
“If that intention was misunderstood, I truly regret any confusion. I have deep respect for the Southern Ute Tribe and its leadership, and I remain grateful for the role the Tribe played in my healing journey,” the statement read.
Scheppelman declined a request for further comment.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
