Awestruck

Every time I work to design and develop a system or application I always hear this phrase in one way or another, "It won't work like that on an Indian Reservation."

I have never been able to respond to that comment. I have to take their word for it, that the person who is telling me that it won't work is right. That is, until now. I have had the unique opportunity to visit a reservation, and I will not soon forget it.

Some colleagues and I were invited onto the Ute Mountain Ute tribal land to explore some of their pueblos and life. This was a fascinating experience for me. Remember, I'm mostly a city person, so just the sight of a mountain can get my blood going. But what I saw on this tour was nothing short of amazing. The day started off great with something I had never seen before, a rainbow that was just in the sky, it was like the sun had an extra halo around it. I've never seen anything like that ever before and I doubt I ever will again.

Our guide was a man named Wolf. He led us down a series of ladders to see a bunch of Pueblos known as the Treehouse, the Lion's Head and the Eagle's Nest. This is a picture of him talking to us at the Treehouse.





Everything about these ancient people was amazing. How they lived, their construction practices, things they ate, I just found it to be interesting and being able to listen to Wolf's stories and then see it for myself was inspiring. I wish I had a week or more to more thoroughly explore the area and experience their way of life. I remember thinking the first second I stepped outside of the airport in Durango, that this is like a different planet. The air smelled different, the people were different. It was like nothing I had ever known.

I know that most people will never get to see these pueblos or the shards of pottery that were laying out for everyone to see, but you should try. I am so grateful to the tribe for their hospitality and kindness in sharing this with us. To know the people, you have to better understand where they come from. For just a day I got to see the world to Wolf's eyes. His world is much more rugged and difficult than mine, but he has so much more wonder and natural beauty as well.

Will this make me a better Program Manager? I don't know, but I met some interesting people and their perspectives are now a part of my consciousness, so maybe...