Week #12: Misfortune

In 1964, the Ute Tribe terminated the 480 Mix-blood Members of the tribe. Some say they voted to be terminated. Others disagree.  It is also told that the entire tribe was to be terminated.  This came about so that Indians could do their own business without government influence or control.
(see http://www.undeclaredutes.net/TerminationList.html)

Mom was #418.  Her mother, and siblings: Judi, Walt, Henry, Rang (Ruben Jr), Pearl, and Jack were all terminated.  Her younger sisters, Joan and Marie were never enrolled with the Ute Tribe due to termination.

This is a great misfortune because it not only affect those that were terminated but many generations. Today, there is still contention about what being Indian means. Those of us that are the next generation have been denied opportunities to participate in Native American programs in school, scholarships, etc.  Some have married back into the tribe but have not been able to enroll their children because the tribe will not recognize the mix blood quantum.

At the time of termination, the mixed bloods were given so much cattle, sheep and $1000 for their separation with the tribe.  They lost their hunting and fishing rights.  In the early 1980's the tribe was sued so the mixed bloods received their hunting and fishing rights.

My grandmother and a few other family members felt that $1000 was not enough for something they felt was a birthright.  This small group held out and the tribe finally agreed to give them 18,000 acres land between Hanna and Rock Creek.  The 26 mix bloods that held out for land formed the Red Rock Corporation to manage the land.  The Murdocks also received land in Rock Creek but did not belong to the corporation.

Below is a picture of Mom's Grandpa Elmer Denver (Lena's dad).  Most of these kids are his grandkids and some nieces and nephews.  Most, if not all, were terminated from the Ute Tribe.  My mom is in the white blouse, second from the right, sitting on the floor in the front row.  Her sister, Pearl is in the black jumper, fourth from the right on the front row.  Mom's oldest sister, Judi is standing behind Grandpa Elmer holding the baby which may be Mom's younger brother Jack.  Henry, my mom's brother is second on the left of Judi.  Walt (my mom's brother) is third from the left on the back row.

Week #11: Lucky

My mom, my sister Kim and I would drive to Wendover, Nevada for a girls gambling trip. We would usually leave in the evening and gamble all night.  Mom was very lucky and had certain machines she liked to play because they were her lucky machines.

On one visit, I heard her calling my name. She was playing a dollar machine around the corner from where I was playing.  She had hit a jack pot but didn't have her ID.  I cashed out on my machine and walked over to where she was playing. Sure enough she had won $10,000.

One of the younger casino agents told her that she had to have her ID. Mom was worried and wanted to know if I had my ID on me.  Another agent came over to verify the win.  Luckily, they had my mom's ID on file and they gave her the cash. And to add to this story, she had done this several times.
Mom loved her trips to Wendover.

Week #10: Strong Woman

These women are my grandmother's two sisters, Ada Denver Padia and Bobby Denver  Freeman. (both sitting) Theresa Denver is standing behind them. All three of these women attended Sherman Indian School.  At the time the government required all Indian children to attend boarding schools.

Theresa was married to my mom's uncle, Milton. He was the youngest of the Denver children. He died in 1968 from a heart attack.  Aunt Theresa never remarried. They had three children.

Aunt Ada was married several times. Her first husband was Earl LeBeau.  They had six children:  Bennie, Tommy, Wade, Jola, Yvonne and Ronda.  She is now married to Jerry Padia and lives in Orlando, Florida.

Aunt Bobby married Robert Freeman for Pala, California. They had four children.

All three of these women raised children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews without a husband due to early deaths or divorce. They have influenced the women in my family to be strong and independent. They also keep family and Native American traditions alive.

Back Row Left to Right:  Jola LeBeau, Judi Sixkiller Mojado (my mom's sister), Theresa Denver, Shawna DeCola (Jola's daughter).  Front Row: Bobby Freeman and Ada Padia

Week #9: Where There’s a Will

When I was in 6th grade, we were approved to receive money from the Pyramid Lake Water Settlement.  This money was given to the descendants of Henry Harris and other Paiute Indians.  Grandpa Harris had water rights from the Pyramid Lake that were bought by the US Government. And, as history has repeated itself, the US Government did not make their final payments.  Grandpa Harris died before he received the final payments so his descendants inherited that money.


The application process took 2-3 years to be completed. Descendants had to prove their lineage to those Paiutes that should have received the money.


My mom's check was $5600 when she received her. Because I was a minor, my money went into an Individual Indian Money account until I turned 18.  My check was $10,600 when I received my check.  I used it for college.



Three years ago, I also came in on another payment from the Cobell Settlement.  The US Government was sued on grounds that they did not invest money in the best interest of those that had IIM accounts.  The government lost their case.  I received another $3000 because I had an IIM account that was affected by this law suit.



None of my ancestors were ever rich enough to leave a monetary will.  Many of them are Indian and had land that was in trust with the federal government.  So I am very thankful for the legacy that Henry Harris left for his descendants.

Week #8: Heirloom

In May of 1992, my great-grandmother, Myrtle, passed away in Joplin, Missouri. She fell and broke her hip. She had a stroke during hip surgery and slipped into a comma. When we went to Oklahoma for her funeral, my mom came home with a framed family tree for Myrtle's family. It showed her siblings and parents.


With the family tree, was a picture of her father, Andrew Jackson Miller.  My grandfather's cousins were there. They each expressed a desire to have the family tree and portrait.  When the frames were lifted off the wall, my grandmother had a note with my mom's name on it. Because of that, the Family Tree was given to my mom.  My grandfather's cousin, Anawake, received the picture of her grandfather, Andrew Jackson Miller.

My mother worked on family genealogy for many years. My greatest heirloom is my desire to do genealogy myself. As the internet began, my mother asked me to start entering her data on FamilySearch.com.  Through the internet, I was able to find pictures and other info that she did not have.  Most importantly, I was able to find extended family also doing the work.

Week #7: Valentines

My parents were married February 23, 1968 in Neola, Utah. They dated all through high school.

Mom tells a story about a note she received from my dad when they were in high school. The note said in pig Latin: “Hey Deedle, how about after school we go to the store and I will buy you a watermelon stick.” One of Mom’s favorite candy was the apple and watermelon flavored Jolley Ranchers.

Because my parents were married in February, I don't really
remember my parents celebrating Valentines Day together. Their wedding anniversary was a bigger celebration. But as my mother was ill during her last few years of her life, Dad would buy a huge heart shaped box of chocolates for Mom.

My dad has now gone without my mom for two Valentine days. My dad now takes balloons to her grave site. My sister Kim has been able to get the local radio station to play Roy Orbison’s song, “Pretty Woman.”

One of my favorite Valentines gift from Mom was a Heart shaped glass dish filled with chocolate covered nuts. My mom loved peanut clusters as a snack. She made her own and gave them to her kids and grandkids.