The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the Museum of Boulder are co-sponsoring the third annual Chief Niwot Forum, to be held Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Museum of Boulder at 2205 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado. This year’s forum, “Searching for Truth and Reconciliation; The Colorado Example,” will feature Ernest House, Jr., Executive Director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA). The CCIA is an eleven member commission, chaired by Colorado Lieutenant Governor Garcia and comprised of both Ute Tribes, their appointees, and several state department representatives and ex-officio members.
As Executive Director for the CCIA, Ernest maintains the communication between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, and other American Indian organizations, state agencies and affiliated groups. Ernest works closely with Governor Hickenlooper, Lt. Governor Garcia, and the CCIA members to maintain a government-to-government relationship between the State of Colorado and tribal governments. Ernest also represents the CCIA at various federal and state public policy meetings and provides legislative and government-related information to community stakeholders.
Ernest previously held the position of Executive Director under Governor Bill Owens and Governor Bill Ritter from 2005-2010. He is a 2012 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, 2013 Denver Business Journal Forty under 40 awardee, and 2015 President’s Award recipient from History Colorado for his great service to tribes and historic preservation in Colorado. Ernest currently serves on Governor Hickenlooper’s Education Leadership Council, the Colorado Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council, and the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees. Ernest is an enrolled member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in Towaoc, Colorado. He holds a rich tradition in his position as son of the late Ernest House, Sr., a long time tribal leader for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and great-grandson of Chief Jack House, the last hereditary chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
NARF Executive Director John Echohawk will provide the opening remarks for this great event. Please join us on November 19! Tickets are available online at the museum’s website.
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