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Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance fosters awareness and appreciation of the landscape and cultural heritage of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument through collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management.
Dear Friends,
As summer winds down and the seasons begin to shift, we are reflecting with gratitude on all that this community has made possible. Together, you’ve helped us celebrate 25 years of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with incredible energy and generosity. Thanks to so many of you, we are so close to reaching our $2,500 goal to support the people and programs that protect this extraordinary place every day.
Now we need your help to make the final push. Every gift brings us closer—not just to our fundraising goal, but to a stronger future for stewardship and education. Your support ensures volunteers can continue hiking miles to monitor ancient sites through our Cultural Site Stewardship Program, and it keeps free public events—like lectures, cultural demonstrations, and community gatherings—accessible to all. These experiences deepen understanding, foster respect, and inspire the next generation of caretakers.
Another way you can help is by providing supplies for our night sky programs. As we work toward Dark Sky Designation, equipment like red-lighting, and other items help us host safe, low-impact star parties and astronomy events. You can explore our wish list here and choose a direct way to support these efforts.
With just a little more momentum, we can reach our goals together. Please consider making your gift today and help us celebrate 25 years of protection by investing in the next 25.
Looking ahead, we have a full September of opportunities to connect, learn, and give back. Registration is required:
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and appreciation of some of the cultural elements of the Zia Pueblo, one of the Indigenous tribes who have ties to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM). At the invite of one of SCCA’s Board members, Ulysses Reid, my wife and I experienced the Corn Dance on the feast day of Our Lady of the Assumption mission/church. We observed over 200 dancers in very unique, matching traditional costumes, split into two groups throughout the day, serenely moving to the rhythmic drumming and singing of the elders. Part way through the day dancing paused, and we were invited into a private home to share in the family meal. I appreciate the personal invitation by Ulysses, and the hospitality of his family, but also the openness of the Zia people to allow the public in general to experience some of their traditions.
Nancy and I were also able to go to the Santa Fe Indian Market, which is held every third weekend in August. Because we are so closely tied to the Four Corners Indigenous Art Market held each June at the CANM visitor center, we wanted to experience the New Mexico event organized by SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts). This market, which literally fills the streets around the downtown plaza was originally created to help preserve and promote Native art. It is now the largest juried Native art show in the world. Yes, many of the artists you are able to see and buy art from at CANM display their talents at this art market.
It was a great weekend to expand our knowledge of both ancient traditions and the great variety of artistic talent that we at the SCCA try to share with members throughout the year through the cultural demonstrations, lecture series, and our own art market.
And speaking of “expanding”, SCCA has expanded the experience level of our Board of Directors, so I want to share the bio of one of the newest members, Dan Miller:
Dan is a former photojournalist who worked for several major newspapers in Utah including: The Salt Lake Tribune,Standard-Examiner in Ogden, and The Herald Journal in Logan. He has published several books including The River Knows Everything: Desolation Canyon and the Green (Logan 2009).
More recently, he has retired from the University Press of Colorado where he worked in production, i.e. designing book covers, interior layouts, and e-book coding.
Dan moved to Mancos, Colorado with his wife Diane Bush nine years ago and they have fallen in love with Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM). Dan pours over maps and reads articles that take him deep into the Monument looking for “treasures” rarely visited. He hopes this enthusiasm will translate into helping build SCCA’s bond with CANM and secure the Monument’s future.
Looking for a meaningful gift or a way to support SCCA? Check out our online store, where you’ll find unique items that celebrate the beauty and heritage of CANM, including the 25th Anniversary T-shirt. Proceeds from your purchases directly support our programs.
Consider making a lasting impact on the preservation of the Canyons of the Ancients by including Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance in your will or estate planning. Your bequest, whether large or small, will help protect these treasured landscapes and their cultural heritage for future generations.
If you haven’t created a will or are thinking of updating it, now is a great time to consult with your attorney or financial advisor to ensure your wishes are clearly expressed.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out.
Follow the directions on the page and select Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance either by name or use this code, WM546;
Don’t have a City Market loyalty card? No worries. New Users can easily create an account! This just requires some basic information, a valid email address and a loyalty card number or phone number.
REMEMBER, you must scan your registered City Market loyalty card or use the phone number that is related to your registered City Market loyalty card when you checkout for each purchase to count. Thank-you!
Help Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance Raise Much-Needed Funds for free!
Every time you shop at any of the 1,800+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. It’s a free service, and you’ll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. To get started, just create your free iGive account.
Looking for another way to give? Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance is proud to partner with ShopRaise. From groceries and apparel to technology and travel – a percentage of almost everything you buy using the ShopRaise app goes to support our cause. Click to download and start supporting us with every purchase: https://ShopRaise.com/support/swcocanyons
Thank you for supporting Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument!
Thank you for your support!*
Thank you to our members and supporters who donated between June 1 and June 30, 2025.
We appreciate your support!
Edgardo Anzures Beth Berghoff Jaeana Bernhardt...In Memory of Jerry L. Gurule John Cooper Andrew Dennison Anonymous Donor Barbara Evert Racheal Fuller Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk Chuck McAfee Hunter & Lorraine McCleary Tim Oliverius Osprey Packs, Inc. Peggy Pletcher Ryon Polequaptewa Dina Rosetta Sharlyn Sanchez Jerrel Singer Ambrose Teasyatwho Jasmine Towne Triple A Sound Solutions Cassandra Tsalate Lauren Wallace Benita Zimmerman
Deep Gratitude to our Sustaining Members
Thank you for providing SCCA with a steady stream of support!
Steve Barker Melissa Blackwell Ken Boucher Caroline Brown & Tom Ferrell Chris & Lou Burkett Tris & Bruce Downer Terri Helm Erik Hendrickson Don & Nancy Hoffheins Diane McBride Vincent Miller Dan Miller Gregory Munson Carolyn Roan Marcie Ryan Cynthia Sadler Michael Stillman Markleigh Swanson Carol Taylor & Cliff Giffen John Thyfault David & KD Umbarger
Thank You to our current Corporate Sponsors and Grant Funders!
Sincere thanks to all our supporters!
*SCCA processed contributions from new and renewing annual and sustaining members and donors named in this newsletter between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025. Corporate support and grants listed in this newsletter were given between June 1, 2024 and June 1, 2025. Please accept our sincerest apologies if your name or company is not listed here or if we have not yet processed your donation.
Visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument For more information about visiting CANM go to this link.
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