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 

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. 

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.

Heavy Metals: A Pedestrians Guide

By: Lily Mann Indy Staff Writer Photos By: Jake Fry

A guide to the statues that inhabit the Durango community. 

Graceful  Artist: Elizabeth MacQueen  Medium: Bronze  Date of artwork: Unknown  Donated by: Phyllis Alden, 2011 Location: East 2nd Avenue    Whinney and Friends  Artist: Joyce Parkerson  Medium: Bronze Date of artwork: 1992 Donated by: Phyllis Alden, donated in 2011 Location: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge...

Freeing the Foot

By: Lily Mann Indy Staff Writer Photos By: Solei Johnston

Out of all the different types of footwear available, Fort Lewis College sophomore, Luke Weber, opts for bare feet. 

  Going barefoot is commonly viewed as a painful waste of time, yet shoelessness can be approached thoughtfully and bring many benefits. Weber enjoys many outdoor activities such as climbing, rafting, biking and hiking, he said. Most of these activities, he does barefoot. Despite usually opting for minimalist shoes or no shoes at all, Weber currently works at a shoe store...

Adventure for All

By:Scout Edmondson Indy Staff Writer

Outdoor Pursuits stives to provide opportunities to the BIPOC community on campus

  Nestled in between the vast deserts of the American southwest and the sky scraping ramparts of Colorado’s San Juan mountains is Fort Lewis College. Because of its proximity to some of the United States most beautiful natural settings, the college is a haven for people who want to pursue their education while also spending time outside.  One doesn’t have to look...

Debunking Fungiphobia: Don't get in truffle

By: Zoe Coughlin Indy Staff Writer

A look into mushrooms growing in the area, where to find them and why they are so important.

Have you been walking in the woods in Durango or even your yard and stumbled upon a patch of mushrooms growing? If you have, that's because mushroom season is right now.   Did you ever wonder whether these mushrooms were edible or poisonous?    Mushrooms, which are part of the fungi kingdom, are decomposers and get their nutrients from organic waste material....

Standing on 150 million years: Dino discovery in our backyard

By: Mia McCormick Indy Staff Writer

A discovery on a hiking trail leads to a glimpse into Durango's past. 

A dinosaur died on Animas City Mountain in Durango about 150 million years ago, and in December of 2021, a local fossil hunter found its bones.    Tom Eskew, a certified arborist and amateur fossil hunter, said he had walked over them hundreds of times until one day, he looked down and realized there were fossils in his path.    “The most valuable finds in...

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