PRESS RELEASE
MEEKER | Mark Wing, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, continues to serve his community through cultural leadership, education and youth advocacy. He’ll be in attendance at the opening reception for the Smithsonian exhibit, “The Americans” on May 15 in Meeker.
Wing, who lives in Towaoc on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, works as a culture specialist in the tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office. His background includes roles as an educator at Kwayigut Community Academy, project manager with Mohegan Behavioral Health and youth advocate in the Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1.
A recognized cultural leader, Wing serves as Bear Dance chief during the annual spring Ute Bear Dance and has provided blessings at state meetings. He is also Sun Dance chief for the Bannock Creek Shoshone of Fort Hall, Idaho, and vice president of the Native American Church for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the state of Colorado.
In addition to his professional and cultural roles, Wing is a cattle and horse rancher and mentors youth in his community. He studied Native American Indian Studies at Fort Lewis College, Utah State University and Pueblo Community College, and has taught Ute language at Fort Lewis College.
Wing, who grew up in Towaoc and attended public school in Cortez, said he remains committed to serving tribal members past and present and working with Native communities across the country.
Mark Wing, culture specialist in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office.