Mayor repeats comparison, says proclamation came from Utah Valley Refugees
Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins reaffirmed and defended a Pioneer Day proclamation equating modern refugees with the pioneers who settled the American West during a recent monthly public question-and-answer session, telling reporters she had approved language supplied by the local advocacy group Utah Valley Refugees.
According to questions raised by reporters with The Cougar Chronicle and others at the session, Judkins said she was presented with a pre-written proclamation by the organization and that she was "very proud and happy" to release it as a mayoral proclamation.
"They had a proclamation that I was very proud and happy to have as a Mayor’s proclamation,"
Reporters pressed the mayor about differences between 19th-century pioneers, who historically settled and built communities by hand, and modern refugees, who come into established communities and often receive resettlement assistance and access to social safety nets. The mayor rejected the characterization that refugees "leech off of the government," asserting instead that they are hardworking and relevant to the pioneer label.
At one point in the exchange, Judkins asked to continue the conversation offline and, when further questioned, she reportedly asked, "What’s a pioneer?" and directed questioners to look up the definition she had been using. When provided with a definition that cites a pioneer as someone who "goes first to explore or settle a new place, or someone who is the first to create new ideas, methods, or science," she acknowledged that it fits historical pioneers and argued that the same wording can be applied to refugees.
What the mayor said and what reporters asked
| Topic | Mayor Judkins' reported comments |
|---|---|
| Source of proclamation | She said the proclamation was presented to her by Utah Valley Refugees and she approved it. |
| Comparison to pioneers | She stated refugees are "modern day pioneers" and defended using that language. |
| Dependence on government | She rejected the notion refugees "leech off" public assistance and characterized them as hardworking. |
Reporters also recounted that when pressed about the fundamental differences between pioneers and refugees, Judkins suggested looking at the dictionary meaning of "pioneer" and maintained that refugees fit within that definition because they are "coming to this country" and are among those who help build communities.
- Proclamation origin: Mayor said the language came from Utah Valley Refugees.
- Mayor's defense: She insisted refugees are hardworking and do not simply rely on government support.
- Public exchange: The mayor asked to take further discussion offline and directed questioners to the definition of "pioneer."
The comments have renewed attention on the Pioneer Day proclamation and the broader public conversation about how local leaders characterize newcomers and the organizations that advocate for them. Pioneer Day is a noted observance in the region, and proclamations tied to it can carry symbolic weight for many residents.
At the forum, members of the press were focused on distinctions between historical migration and settlement patterns and contemporary refugee resettlement systems, including how those systems interact with municipal services and community support efforts. The mayor's remarks linking the two prompted follow-up questions from reporters seeking clarification on policy implications and the mayor's perspective.
Judkins' insistence that the proclamation came from an outside advocacy group and her defense of the language raise questions about the process by which proclamations are adopted and the role of advocacy organizations in shaping ceremonial city communications. City residents and stakeholders may look to the mayor's office for further explanation of how proclamations are vetted and how their language is chosen going forward.
The mayoral office hosted the public Q&A as part of its regular monthly forum. The exchange with reporters over the proclamation is likely to continue to draw attention from residents and local media as community leaders and advocacy groups discuss language, historical analogy and the treatment of refugees within the Provo area.
