A celebration of life for former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Ignacio will be held April 13 at the Sky Ute Casino Event Center in Ignacio.
Campbell died Dec. 30. He was 92.
Campbell was among the few Native American members of Congress, where he served as a leading voice for tribal interests.
He sponsored legislation including the 2002 Indian Financing Amendments Act and the 1989 National Museum of the American Indian Act. He was a key proponent of the Animas-La Plata Project, which stores water belonging to regional Native American tribes.
Outside politics, he was recognized for his artistic and cultural contributions as a jeweler, Olympian, rancher and advocate for Native representation.
The ceremony will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 13, followed by a reception from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
A video from Campbell’s Senate campaign and a short documentary from Rocky Mountain PBS will be played beginning at 1 p.m., followed by several speakers.
Gene Small, president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, will lead opening prayers, followed by speakers representing different periods of Campbell’s life.
Speakers will include Al Harper, a close friend and owner of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogelman; Jim “Jimmy” Wooley, a two-time U.S. Olympian in judo; Mike Lovato, a longtime friend and co-founder of the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally; and Campbell’s daughter, Shanan Campbell.
The keynote speaker will be W. Richard West Jr., founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
Those planning to attend should register at bit.ly/468TazZ
jbowman@durangoherald.com
