THE INDEPENDENT

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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 

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. 

Safety First, Because Accidents Last
 Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Nels Christensen

Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Fort Lewis police report safety statistics in recent years. 

Hotels: the new Dorms?
 Hotels: the new Dorms?

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Jimena Lopez

Hotels: the new Dorms?

Back to school! While some Fort Lewis students were making sure they had their backpacks ready to go, others were making sure they had somewhere...
59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow
 59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow

Friday, May 2, 2025
Written by Junior Parrish, Photographed by Donovan Riley and Junior Parrish

59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow

An event that brings joy and beauty, Hozhoni Ambassadors and First Attendant said.
Students Test the Waters
 Students Test the Waters

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Nels Christensen

Students Test the Waters

Students take leaps for public health.

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Wanbli Ota Hosts Hozhoni Days Powwow Wanbli Ota Hosts Hozhoni Days Powwow

Wanbli Ota Hosts Hozhoni Days Powwow

Story by Jay Diamond Photos by Lacey Tewanema

The Wanbli Ota Club of Fort Lewis College hosted the 53rd annual Hozhoni Days Powwow on Friday and Saturday last weekend at Whalen Gymnasium in Durango, Colorado. This year’s theme was, “honoring veterans of all conflicts.”

The Wanbli Ota Club of Fort Lewis College hosted the 53rd annual Hozhoni Days Powwow on Friday and Saturday last weekend at Whalen Gymnasium in Durango, Colorado. This year’s theme was, “honoring veterans of all conflicts.”   Wanbli Ota, which means “many eagles” in the Lakota language, is a student run non-profit organization that aims to promote...

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State and National Budget Disputes Felt Locally State and National Budget Disputes Felt Locally

State and National Budget Disputes Felt Locally

By Douglas DuPont

The Fort Lewis College Environmental Center in conjunction with Our 1st 100 Days took a stand for the arts and humanities.

  The Fort Lewis College Environmental Center in conjunction with Our 1st 100 Days took a stand for the arts and humanities.   In light of recent federal budget proposals that aim to remove funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, a mural was painted on the Everyday Gas Station at the corner of Eighth Street and College Drive that aims to reflect on...

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An Addition to the Animas An Addition to the Animas

An Addition to the Animas

By Davis Deussen

The Durango Whitewater Park is currently undergoing renovations to address some issues that the park has with high river flows.

The Durango Whitewater Park is currently undergoing renovations to address some issues that the park has with high river flows.   The renovations were scheduled from Feb. 23 to mid-March and some of the work has already been completed, Scott McClain, Parks Manager for the City of Durango said.   Higher river flows that are unusual for this early in the season have caused...

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Pursuing Education After the Military Pursuing Education After the Military

Pursuing Education After the Military

By Shandiin Ramsey

Non-traditional students are common in colleges across the United States.  Some of these students have come from the military and are trying to receive their degrees to move on to the next chapter of their lives.

Non-traditional students are common in colleges across the United States.  Some of these students have come from the military and are trying to receive their degrees to move on to the next chapter of their lives.   Over 1 million veterans are using their Government Issued bill to attend college after their service, but only 15 percent of these veterans are traditionally aged...

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Finding a Voice: Free Speech and Safe Spaces Finding a Voice: Free Speech and Safe Spaces

Finding a Voice: Free Speech and Safe Spaces

By Becca Day and Ryan Simonovich

Freedom of speech has been a topic of discussion after a recent campus visit by a self-described public preacher.

 

Freedom of speech has been a topic of discussion after a recent campus visit by a self-described public preacher.   Keith Darrell’s religious views and opinions on westward expansion angered students such as Randy Banks, who was detained by the Durango Police Department after getting in an altercation with Darrell.   Polarizing Opinions   While...

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