THE INDEPENDENT

CULTURE

Indigenous People's Day 2025 Indigenous People's Day 2025

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Written by Mya Simon, Photographed by M'iitra Pino

Indigenous People's Day 2025

October rain does little to keep FLC from celebrating Indigenous culture 

Fiesta en la Mesa Fiesta en la Mesa

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | Steven Ben

Fiesta en la Mesa

Members of Ballet Folklorico de Durango, a cultural arts program that promotes Mexican culture, perform Sept. 19, 2025, during Fiesta en la Mesa...
Banging Heads in Buckley Park Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | Mya Simon and Garrett Middleton

Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Locals share an inside look into Durango's metal scene. 

Fly Fishing and Fond Farewells Fly Fishing and Fond Farewells

Fly Fishing and Fond Farewells

Scout Edmondson

I have found over the past four years at Fort Lewis College that it’s easy to forget to take a step back, a deep breath and a look around. After all, when you’re caught up in the fray of classes, part-time jobs, internships and social outings, remembering to reflect on where you are in your present moment isn’t always possible. But with graduation edging closer with each...

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Screaming Rubber Band Chickens Screaming Rubber Band Chickens

Screaming Rubber Band Chickens

AJ Repinski

Contestants test their pain limit for Snowdown glory.

  Contestants and spectators pack into 11th Street Station’s “Screaming Rubber Band Chickens” Snowdown event at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 2.    11th Street Owner Marcos Wisner prepares a tournament-style bracket for the event. Randomly drawn for the bracket after entering, contestants prepared themselves for several rounds of rubber band slaps all...

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Long Hair, Don’t Care, Guitars: Air Long Hair, Don’t Care, Guitars: Air

Long Hair, Don’t Care, Guitars: Air

Rusty Frank

With Durango’s winter festival in full swing, musicians and mimes converged for a night of lighthearted competition, with bonus points for ‘longest hair.'

  Tuesday night at Durango's Starlight Lounge was a kaleidoscope of locals and visitors alike dressed up in free-flowing tops and high-waisted apple bottom pants, tightly packed into a space buzzing with anticipation. As a newcomer to Durango, I was about to experience my first-ever Snowdown event: a 21+ ‘Long Hair Air Guitar Contest.’ What I walked into was a...

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Durango's Beloved Beaters Durango's Beloved Beaters

Durango's Beloved Beaters

Morgan Smith and Sienna Reese

Fort Lewis College students will drive anything with four wheels! 

Whether cars are used to get to the slopes, back home or simply the grocery store, some Fort Lewis College students see their vehicle as the connection they have to the world outside of campus.  Take a look into the tales of five FLC students and their beloved beaters, to see the trust, love and tears that are put into owning an old car.    1999 JEEP...

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Winter Wellbeing Winter Wellbeing

Winter Wellbeing

Lisia Lucero

Losing light and losing time but not losing yourself

What is your definition of self care? Alita Lynch Alita Lynch, 18, first-year student: Lynch defines self care as time with herself that is free of worries and free of figuring out if she needs to do work. Kaneesha Bitsinnie Kaneesha Bitsinnie, 19, first-year student: Bitsinnie said she sees self care as taking care of your well-being and doing more than you...

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