-An update on the annual Posey’s Trail Walk in 2024-
Legacy of Resilience:
The 100 Years of Silence Project and Beyond
by Shaun Ketchum
February 12 marks the beginning of the 100 Years of Silence Resilience, a rich history story of the Allen Canyon Utes. The Ute tribe traveled from the lone mountain peaks of Piute Mountain (Navajo Mountain) to Allen Canyon. The history story of W. Posey marks our current 2024 February healing story for the community in White Mesa. We have gathered stories from history to the community gathering every two weeks to be a part of the healing process. This process was kept away because the settlers in Blanding ensured the people of White Mesa feared the event that took place back in 1823 up to the present day. They enclosed the people behind barbed wire barriers for weeks as they tried to hunt down Posey and his close friends who aided him on many journeys.
Every year around Easter, the Posey trail hike takes place, and a few people from the town of Blanding host events to remember Posey. The meals are of frybread, stories are told, performances are held, and the community comes together to remember the burden of what took place. This event signifies that the people are still here no matter what happened.
Being part of the Ketchum family, Collins family, Posey family, and Lehi family are deeply rooted in Comb Wash to Allen Canyon. It is embedded deep in my blood between Piute Mountain and Bears Ears. Reflecting on history, family stories, and growing up have transformed me into a stronger man, not only educated through college and degrees but also a keen insight into being alive at the moment, traveling among the community, greeting and meeting people who may have questions or interviewing them on topics related to the 100 Years of Silence of Project about Posey.
My grandma is Loretta Posey, one of the individuals who created the Bears Ears Monument. She was known in the community for her stories, work ethic, and kindness to people no matter how they treated her. Being part of this project, for the remembrance of her, including my grandma Mary Jane Yazzie, who was also involved, has been essential. They were also life-long best friends.
Resilience to me means watching the community in White Mesa become comfortable talking to me, to each other, sharing and healing. I encourage them to speak with us and at our events to hear more stories from each of them. The voices of each of them are powerful in their own way. Each story connects to them as they listen to stories of the past coming back to life.
Among each member is a heartfelt story of Allen Canyon, ranging from the good memories and the progress of attending boarding schools where the nicely dressed women and men on horses would come to take the children. Among the younger generation are the stories of their life intertwined with the changes brought by the white man who transformed the land, people, and events that drastically placed the people, my people kin, people of Allen Canyon, on reservations of belonging to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, which in most cases has been one of the issues the people here disagree with very well.
Photo Credit: Shaun Ketchum
Now is the time for the people in White Mesa to be heard and noticed by people who drive by and tell stories passed down from the people here. Each tribe across the U.S. shares similar stories, and people who have become educated learn the proper procedures to take to become influenced and aware of the changes. They need proof to be aware and transform their community into something beautiful again.
As a man of 25, being half Navajo and half Ute (Piute and Ute Mountain), understanding where I come from has brought me to where I am now.
I am Shaun Ketchum Jr, the 100 Years of Silence project director. Thank you.
"Let's embark on a journey of resilience lasting 101 years, starting now."
