Gov. Jared Polis has nominated the first tribal member in state history to the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs.
The governor announced March 14 that Howard Richards Sr., a Vietnam War veteran, would join the board.
“We really tried to focus on making sure our boards and commissions, like the veterans affairs commission, are representative of our state,” Polis said in an interview with The Durango Herald. “Particularly with regard to Howard Richards, there are so many Native American veterans in our state. And having that representation is really important to make sure that the needs of our Native American veterans are met.”
The Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs heads up efforts to seek resources for veterans throughout the state. The board also oversees the grant writing process.
For Richards, a former Southern Ute tribal chairman, it was about having an opportunity for tribal member voices to be heard.
Discussions of having a tribal member on the state board began in 1986 when the Southern Ute Veterans Association formed.
“It brought a lot of joy to me,” Richards said of the appointment. “But a lot of sadness. Those people that we had these discussions with are no longer here.”
Richards was raised on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. During his time in the military, he served with the 1st Battalion, 84th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division in the Republic of South Vietnam before being transferred to Oahu, Hawaii, and then Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
As a board member, Richards will seek to introduce Indigenous values to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs. When it comes to the discussion of healing, whether physical or mental, the VA’s approach is often based in Anglo practices, he said.
“Our traditional values that we use for that healing process ... is not really seen in the VA system or even in the state of Colorado,” Richards said.
Richards said its important for the state to understand who tribal member veterans are. He hopes over time he can help educate others in the state of his culture and others like it.
“I can be educated on the Anglo way of dealing with issues,” he said. “But also, as a native veteran, I can bring forward the voice of the native population that is not there to ask these questions.”
Polis said Richards will add valuable input at the state level. Because of his understanding of tribal veterans’ issues, he will be able to give the board perspective that it has not previously had.
“The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is filled with immense pride to congratulate former Chairman and Vietnam Veteran, Mr. Howard Richards Sr., for his appointment by Gov. Polis to the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs,” said Southern Ute Indian Tribal Chairman Melvin Baker in a news release. “This appointment reflects his exemplary dedication to our nation's heroes. He will undoubtedly bring valuable insights and perspectives to better support those who served our Nation and Tribe. We are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.”
Richards understands there are politics that surround these types of decisions. Regardless, he said he is proud to serve the veterans of Colorado.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
