Belonging & Connecting with the Land – March 29th

Telluride Institute’s Annual Ute Youth Ski Day has joined with Dia De Esqui  and local Non-profits to bring you an inspiring conversation about Belonging in the land.

Many of us in this community have the privilege of skiing and enjoying the outdoors on a regular basis, but we shouldn’t forget the barriers that exist for some of our community members and neighbors.  A panel discussion was held at the Wilkinson Library on Saturday March 29th with Indigenous and Latino leaders and youth.  Among the many topics covered, there was a discussion of how to break down barriers and ensure that our natural surroundings and outdoor recreation is available to all. The presenters shared how their childhood experiences in nature fostered a lifelong sense of “belonging and connecting to the land.”

Featured speakers at the March 29, 2025 event included Izabella Ruffino, Ernest House Jr., Celine Hawkins, Lorelei Cloud,  Izabella Cloud, and special guest Dani Reyes-Acosta.

Watch a 1-minute video clip featuring Ernest House Jr. speaking about “The Power of Place” (this is one brief moment in a 90-minute panel discussion).