Pearl Casias facts for kids
Pearl Casias is an important leader of the Southern Ute Tribe. She has been a member of their Tribal Council and even served as a Tribal Judge. In 2011, she made history by becoming the first woman to be elected as the Chairperson of the Southern Ute Tribal Council.
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Pearl Casias: A Leader for Her People
Pearl Casias has dedicated much of her life to serving the Southern Ute Tribe. Her work has helped her community in many ways, from leading the Tribal Council to helping other Native American groups.
Becoming a Leader
In 2011, Pearl Casias was chosen by her people to be the Chairperson of the Southern Ute Tribal Council. This was a very special moment because she was the first woman ever to hold this top leadership position in the tribe's history. Her election showed how the Ute people have always valued everyone's contributions, including women, in their traditional ways. She was elected during a special time, taking over after the previous chairman stepped down.
Important Work as Chairperson
During her time as Chairperson, Pearl Casias helped the Southern Ute Tribe achieve big things. The tribe became a major producer of natural gas, which is an important energy source. This helped the tribe's economy grow stronger.
Also, under her leadership, the Southern Ute Tribe received a "AAA" credit rating. This is like getting a top grade for how well a government manages its money. It was a huge achievement because they were the first Native American Nation to ever get such a high rating! This showed that the tribe was very good at handling its finances.
After Her Term
After her time as Chairperson, Pearl Casias continued to help other Native American tribes. She shared her knowledge and experience to guide them. Even after stepping back from her main role, she returned to serve her people again. In 2018, she was elected once more to be a member of the Southern Ute Tribal Council, continuing her dedication to her community.