Dear Friends,
I'm sure some of you are enjoying the weather we're having today. I'm not ready for snow, but I never am. However, this is a clear sign that the seasons are changing and as we approach the end of another wonderful year, I invite you to support the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA) in our mission to foster awareness and appreciation for the landscape and cultural heritage of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
Early Giving for Southwest Colorado Gives Day starts on November 1st—any donations made through December 10th, including Giving Tuesday on December 3rd, count toward our goal. We hope you’ll keep SCCA in mind as you consider year-end giving to support the causes you care about!
This year, make an impact by supporting one of our programs directly. Choose to donate to our Cultural Site Stewardship Program to help monitor and protect invaluable cultural sites, the Artist-in-Residence Program to foster meaningful connections between art, culture, and conservation, the Four Corners Indigenous Art Market to celebrate and uplift Indigenous artists, or a General Donation to provide essential resources that keep all our programs thriving.
In November, look for our new online store featuring 2025 calendars with Stanton Englehart's artwork and SCCA t-shirts—great holiday gifts that also support our mission.
Finally, save the date for our Luminaria Event on December 6th. Join us for an evening of light and celebration at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center.
Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity makes all the difference in preserving the legacy of our public lands for generations to come.
Warm regards,
Markleigh Swanson
Executive Director
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance
Note from the Board Chair
October 2024
Seeing the Fall colors on the Monument is always a treat. I hope you
are getting out there this year. And speaking of Fall, you’ll be seeing
information about the Fall giving campaign from our Executive
Director, Markleigh. I hope you’ll be able to help us by supporting the
Site Steward Program.
The SCCA Board of Directors has a couple of new members. We are
thrilled to have Dr. Charles R. (Chuck) Riggs join us with his extensive
knowledge and experience with Archaeological related topics.
Board Member Highlight
Chuck Riggs, Board Member:
Dr. Charles Riggs is a professor, curator of archaeological collections and current chair of the Department of Anthropology at Fort Lewis College. Working primarily in the American Southwest, Riggs’s research focuses on Neolithic societies, the spatial organization and architecture of communities, and encouraging Native American perspectives. He has directed excavations and archaeological surveys at numerous sites in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and California. Prior to joining the faculty at Fort Lewis College in 2002, Dr. Riggs was a project director and the mapping department director at Statistical Research, Inc. a cultural resources management firm in Tucson, AZ.
Dr. Riggs has received grants from the Colorado State Historical Fund to conduct research and teaching. He was selected by students as an Outstanding Faculty Member in 2007. Riggs is a long-time member of the Society for American Archaeology, and currently serves on its Native American Relations and Native American Scholarships Committees. He is also a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), and is a regular organizer of the Pecos Archaeological Conference, having hosted the conference in 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2021. He currently also serves as vice president of the board of Southwest Archaeology, the non-profit organizing entity for the Pecos Conference.
Dr. Riggs has numerous peer-reviewed publications, including two books, has delivered countless professional and public talks on all facets of archaeological research and ethics, and teaches courses on subjects ranging from introduction to anthropology, to the history of anthropological thought, to archaeological survey courses on ancient Britain, the ancient Near East, and the pre-contact Southwestern United States.
He most enjoys spending time with his family, and also finds time to to play and perform as a competition bagpiper, both as a soloist and as a member of the Red Sky Collective Pipes and Drums.
Can you serve on our Board of Directors?
We would particularly like someone willing to serve as secretary. Right now, Marcie Ryan, is having to serve in both the Treasurer and Secretary positions. If you are able to help strengthen our organization
and would consider serving on the Board, fill out an Interest Form linked here and send it in.
Here are the responsibilities for all Board Members:
- Be a member of SCCA
- Have knowledge of the organization and a personal commitment
to its mission and goals.
- Make annual financial contributions to the organization
- Provide leadership to the board
- Attend regularly scheduled board meetings - Typically one per
month
- Participate in policy development and strategic planning
- Participate in fundraising
- Serve as ambassador of organization to the public
Thank you for supporting Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance.
Best regards,
Don Hoffheins
Board Chair, Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance
Upcoming Events
- December 6th: Luminaria Night
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