Pearl Casias

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Pearl Casias at Colorado State University, Native American Cultural Center

Pearl Casias is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council and former Tribal Judge. In 2011, she was elected to be the first female Chairperson of the Southern Ute Tribal Council.

Career[edit]

In 2011 Casias was elected as the first chairwoman in the history of the Southern Ute Tribal council;[1] a symbol of the traditional egalitarian ways the Utes experienced prior to colonization.[2] The special election was held after former Chairman Matthew Box resigned. Clement J. Frost has preceded her as chairperson.[3]

During her term, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe became a major producer of natural gas and received a "AAA" credit rating from national credit rating agencies, the first American Indian Nation to receive the rating.[4][5]

After her retirement from the Tribal Council, Casias did consulting work for other Native American tribes.[6] In 2018, she exited political retirement to serve an additional term as a member of the Southern Ute Tribal Council.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Scofield, Heather (13 April 2011). "S. Ute tribe swears in first woman leader". The Durango Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Southern Ute Indian Tribe - History of the Southern Ute". Southern-ute.nsn.us. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  3. ^ "The Southern Ute Drum". Southern-ute.nsn.us. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  4. ^ Casias, Pearl E. (1 December 2011). "Deficit Reduction and Job Creation: Regulatory Reform in Indian Country". United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  5. ^ Draper, Electa (8 June 2001). "Southern Utes get rare AAA bond rating" (PDF). Denver Post Four Corners Bureau. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Indigenous Materials Institute" (PDF). Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
Preceded by Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe
2011
Succeeded by