The newly named Tava Quad, previously informally known as Armstrong Quad, was blessed at a sunrise ceremony during Homecoming Weekend. More than 40 members of the Ute Tribes participated in ceremonies and festivities that included the sacred blessing, meeting with students in two convergence classes, and a cultural performance that included powwow dancing and a drumming exhibition. Informational signs relaying the history of the area and the Nuúchi (Ute) People, the first inhabitants of the region, are located at the four cardinal entry points to Tava Quad, the largest greenspace on campus. “Tava” means “sun” in the Ute language, and they called the majestic peak that towers over Colorado Springs “Sun Mountain.”

Levi Lopez, a member of the Ute Mountain Utes, dances during the Homecoming picnic. Members of the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes performed an exhibition dance on Tava Quad to welcome alumni, faculty, and students to the picnic. The visit was a homecoming of sorts for the tribes whose ancestors originally inhabited the lands that are currently Colorado College. Picnic attendees were welcomed to the dance floor for a dance for all. Photo by Jennifer Coombes