United States
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is the Ute Tribe?

T. L. Childree
T. L. Childree

The Ute tribe is a group of Native American Indians who originally lived in portions of what are now the U.S. states of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The Ute originally were made up of seven groups: Mouache, Capote, Weeminuche, Tabeguache, Grand River Utes, Yamparicas and Uintah Utes. The Mouache and Capote groups comprise the modern Ute tribe. In the late 1800s, after a series of wars with Mormon settlers in the area, the tribe was forced by the U.S. government to leave their ancestral lands and relocate to a reservation in Utah.

These Native American Indians were a forest-dwelling band of nomads. Since they were constantly relocating, the tribe did not farm, but rather lived off of whatever was available to them at the time. The Ute men hunted buffalo, elk, and deer, while the women gathered nuts, fruits, and insects for food. When traveling, the tribe used sleds pulled by dogs to carry their possessions and portable houses.

Deer were one type of food commonly hunted by the Ute tribe.
Deer were one type of food commonly hunted by the Ute tribe.

In the early 1600s, Spanish explorers arrived, bringing with them horses, which the Indians called “magic dogs.” The acquisition of horses meant that the Utes were able to travel farther and faster than before. The Indians also became more prolific hunters, resulting in the near extinction of the buffalo in that region. The Spanish taught the natives to raise livestock and to make slaves out of conquered enemies as well.

In the 1800s, Mormon settlers arrived in Ute territory and conflicts with the tribe immediately began. The settlers preferred to set up communities and farm the surrounding land, while the Indians had always moved from place to place and utilized the available resources. The Mormons also wanted to call the territory Deseret rather than Utah. The only thing the two had in common was the practice of polygamy.

As the number of Mormon settlements began to increase, the Ute tribe’s hunting and pasture lands began to decrease. The Indians eventually found themselves without sufficient food or clothing, and began to raid the settlements in an effort to preserve their own lives. These raids became known as the Blackhawk War and Walker War. In 1861, at the request of the Mormon settlers, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order establishing a reservation for the Ute tribe on 2 million-acres (8,094 square kilometers) of land in the Uintah Basin of Utah.

Today, the Ute tribe is located on three different reservations. The Uintah-Ouray Reservation, the second largest Indian Reservation in the U.S., is located in northeastern Utah and is home to 3,500 members. Ute Mountain Reservation lies in parts of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico and is home to 2,000 members. The Southern Ute Reservation is located in Colorado, with 1,500 members.

In an effort to preserve their heritage, the Indians hold two annual festivals. One, which is held in the spring, is called the “Beardance” because their ancestors believed the Ute tribe was a close relative of the bear. The other, held in the summer is known as the “Sundance” since the name of the tribe literally means, “land of the sun.”

The Ute tribe also has its own government, which oversees over a million acres of land. The Utes raise cattle, operate casinos, and mine oil and natural gas. The tribe claims assets of nearly $3 billion U.S. Dollars.

Discussion Comments

CBlizzard

@Steamland, its true that we as a nation have and still do some pretty atrocious things in the name of our country. But I think that your focusing to much on the bad. The American government has also done a lot of good in the world, not to mention the number of charitable organizations that are founded by American people. Just off the top of my head I can think of rock and roll, Hollywood, and a little thing called the spread of DEMOCRACY!

Warhawk

Ya and they didn't even mention the massive amount of disease that the Spanish conquistadors brought with them. Inadvertently or not, some historians estimate that Europeans wiped out 50% of the original native American inhabitants. Cultural contact can be a truly horrible thing.

Steamland

The more i learn about the early history of America the more ashamed I become. It seems like we are constantly fighting and conquering someone whether it be the Ute Tribe then or Iraqis and Afghans today. It makes me wonder what the term "proud American" really means.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Deer were one type of food commonly hunted by the Ute tribe.
      By: satori
      Deer were one type of food commonly hunted by the Ute tribe.