Here is some information about our family history.  

I, Eddie Box Jr. will go first.  My mother was Dorothy Burch Box, and her Ute Indian name was Blue Mist Woman.  She was born January 26, 1921 the daughter of Sam Burch (born 1896) and Clara Burch (born 1906). Our mother had three sisters (Bertha Marie Burch Grove, Elsie Burch Thorne, and Martha Ruth Burch Myroe), one brother (Anthony Burch). She enlisted in the Armed Forces May 1944 and was the Southern Ute's first WAVE during World War II.  She was stationed at National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland.  Was discharged from the WAVE on November, 1944, because she was pregnant with a child, which was ME ME ME.  My mother was a very spiritual person and she taught us the ways of traditional people.  My mother left us in 1974 and is now buried at Ouray cemetery in Ignacio.  My father is Edward Bent Box, and his Ute Indian name is Red Ute.  The son of Jacob Box (born 1885) and Bertha Bent Box (born 1886).  Our father was born April 1, 1920 and had 8 brothers and sisters. They are Marjorie Box, Florence Bent Box, Agnes Bent Box, Ellen Bent Box, Fritz Bent Box, Mary Bent Box Chavez, and David Bent Box.  In May 1942 he enlisted in the Navy and trained in San Diego.  Saw combat in the Pacific Theater.   Was discharged from the Navy in October, 1945, as a Motor Machinist Mate 2nd Class.  He still lives in the family home in Ignacio and makes flutes.  Both of my parents are full blooded Southern Ute Indian.  Our father has since met another woman and she is not native American and they married about 10 years ago.  We do not have any information about her or the correct spelling of her name at this time.  

I was born in 1945 in the town of Durango, Colorado. I attended the Ignacio Public Schools until I graduated in 1963. Was your average run of the mill kid, had some dogs. My father worked at Ford Motor company in Durango. So I moved with the family and attended Thomas Starr King Junior High school, in Los Angeles, Calif.  We lived at 1551 Echo Park Drive. My father was training to become a radio announcer. Came back to Colorado, lived in Cortez and in Durango. Moved back to Ignacio and graduated. Attended 1 1/2 years at Fort Lewis College. . It was during these times I met my honey, Betty Vigil during these times.

I had one brother who was named James Lloyd Box Sr. My brother's Indian name was Spirit Horse.  We were influenced with music by our father Edward Bent Box Sr.  Our father had a band in 30's, 40's called the Pine River Boys.  I started a band in the 60's with me as lead guitar and my bother was the drummer.  My honey Betty later joined, because she didn't want to stay at home.  The band was called many names, like Fire fly's, Dearly Beloved, and final we settled with the Century Men.  We learned about 80 or 90 songs that we could play at a dance.   We played songs like Money, Louie Louie, Walking the dog, Eight days a week, Somebody to love, etc.  We last played on New Year's dance at Ranlett, Utah of 1968.   We had many members that came and gone.  First I will mention the band members that were the first to be with the band, and now have passed onto the great hunting grounds.  Harvey Joy, he was the singer and was a great guy.  Lawrence Monte, lead and rhythm guitar and Gerald Howe, a bass player.  And last is my brother, Jim, who left us in Nov. of 1999.  Was a great drummer and brother.  Now here are the ones that are still walking the earth.  Gene Valdez, Jimmy Lopez, Randy Baker, Louis Herrera, We sure had a lot of fun just singing and playing my guitar.  See the band during the 1960s by following BAND PICS.

We got married in Dec. 1965, a long long ago. Lived in Ignacio, and had no job,  lived on very little food. Had a car, but had no money to buy gas, so we parked it. Made a lot of trips on foot mobile in the area.   I was the tribal police officer for 16 years and retired from there in 1984 as Police Captain. I presently work for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, as Information Services Manager, in Natural Resources making maps from GIS data of the Southern Ute's

I, Betty J. Box will go next.  I'm an enrolled member of the Navajo nation, my clan is bitter water and i'm also Spanish. I was bornt in Fruita, Colorado. My parents were Alcario and Jennie Vigil. My  father was Navajo, and was a fiddle maker. He made fiddles from a single piece of wood. He used broken glass to cut out the wood. He passed away in 1978, My mother Jennie now lives in Durango at the Four Corners Rest home.  I have 12 brothers and sisters.  We moved to Ignacio, in my early years, and lived in the BIA boarding school in Ignacio. Which is now my honey's office.

I was the past manager for  the Southern Ute Community Center, then I worked as teacher's aide for the Ignacio Public Schools. I taught the children their a b c's.  I'm now Property Shift Manager for the Sky Ute Lodge & Casino.  I have worked in this position for ten years. We have three children, the oldest is 34 yrs. and his name is Edward Box III .  Next oldest is Matthew Box who is married to Hope Box and is 32 yrs. old and have two children.  The youngest is Melanie Seibel, married to Shane Seibel and she has 5 young children and is 28 yrs. old.
We raised two other children that we have called our children. Karen Washington, who is 36 yrs. and has a daughter named Kateria Page Washington, who is 10 yrs. old and now live in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Our nephew James Lloyd Box Jr. who we raised since he was 1 year old now lives in Idaho.
Our  family is involved in traditional ways, such as Sundance, Bear dance and sweat ceremonials.  This has bought us closer to the Creator.  We try to teach our children of traditional ways.  If you should have any questions, please e-mail us and we could answer your questions.  I also write and here is two of my writings.   Poem one  Poem two

We have lived here in Ignacio a good part of our lives, just smelling the roses.

Click here to see a pictures of the family.