Former Indian Tribal Leader Leader Dies In Crash

CORTEZ, Colo. (AP) - Former Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Earnest House Sr. has died in an accident while riding his motorcycle. He was 65.

The accident occurred Saturday in McElmo Canyon when his motorcycle collided with a car.

House was raised in Mancos Canyon and elected to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council in 1979.

He was elected chairman in 1982 and served off and on for several terms until 2010.

According to the Cortez Journal, House has also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, as well as president and CEO of Tribal Business and Enterprise.

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