I was with a friend recently and we ran into a small group of friends. Casual, light conversation was the name of the game until it wasn’t. The tension kept building before someone inadvertently inserted a remark that was on the edge of politics and religion. Discussing those subjects reasonably have never been easy. Their overlap in the public arena now means that half of our population is pitted against the other side of our population. You can see the hot spots begin to flare up, the burning embers of just one more public argument that was never extinguished. Many of the last conversational fires that flared up in this last election season continue to burn beneath the surface.
Reminiscent of the coal mines that continue to burn beneath the surface, most of us in non-native populations that established our homes here were fascinated by this phenomena. Just picture the very same people trying to escape the growth along the Front Range only to move here and buy or build a home near the White River. It isn’t until they have spent more time in the fall or winter that they will finally understand the Ute name for it, “Smoking Waters.” It was the Ute Tribal Elder Clifford Duncan, who visited with many of us during the years that all of the tribe’s members were invited back to take part in healing celebrations to promote good will. Presenting his knowledge as a geologist, explained the importance of the local river’s healing powers through its presence. He spoke of his concerns that the value of the river would be discounted because of increased amount of the oil, gas and mineral resources being used today. He expressed his hope that working together with all of residents and formers residents to conserve this valuable resource had to happen. These were days when the sides were forming but it appeared that they were willing to work together. Extremists on both sides did not need to raise their voices extra loud. Oh, those were the days.
By Dolly Viscardi
