Affiliated Ute Citizens of the State of Utah

  Learning to Write “Indian”: The Boarding-School Experience and American Indian Literature Learning to Write “Indian”: The Boarding-School Experience and American Indian Literature is a scholarly examination of the impact of Native American boarding schools on Indigenous identity, language, and literary expression. The book analyzes how forced assimilation policies—particularly the late 19th- and early 20th-century boarding-school system—shaped how Native Americans were taught to “write” themselves and their cultures according to Euro-American norms. Through a combination of literary analysis, historical context, and personal narratives , the work explores how Native authors responded to, resisted, and reinterpreted the lessons of boarding schools in their writings. It examines recurring themes in American Indian literature, such as cultural erasure, identity negotiation, memory, and survival , showing how education intended to suppress Indigenous identity instead became a sit...

  Massacre: The Tragedy At White River (Colorado, 1879) Massacre: The Tragedy at White River (Colorado, 1879) recounts the violent events surrounding the White River Massacre , a critical and tragic episode in the history of the Ute people and their interactions with Euro-American settlers in Colorado. The book examines the circumstances leading up to the attack, including tensions over land, resources, and federal policies toward Indigenous populations, as well as the broader context of Ute displacement in the late 19th century. Through a combination of historical records, eyewitness accounts, and analysis, the narrative reconstructs the events of 1879, highlighting the human cost of conflict, the vulnerability of the Ute communities, and the social and political forces at play. The book also explores the aftermath, including the impact on survivors, subsequent U.S. government actions, and the legacy of the massacre in regional memory. Intended for historians, students, and gen...

  Violence Over the Land: Indians and Empires in the Early American West Authored by Ned Blackhawk Narrated by Curtis Michael Holland American Indians remain familiar as icons, yet poorly understood as historical agents. In this ambitious book that ranges across Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and eastern California (a region known as the Great Basin), Ned Blackhawk places Native peoples squarely at the center of a dynamic and complex story as he chronicles two centuries of Indian and imperial history that profoundly shaped the American West. On the distant margins of empire, Great Basin Indians increasingly found themselves engulfed in the chaotic storms of European expansion and responded in ways that refashioned themselves and those around them. Focusing on Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone Indians, Blackhawk illuminates this history through a lens of violence, excavating the myriad impacts of colonial expansion. Brutal networks of trade and slavery forged the Spanish borderlands, a...

American Indian Education: A History   American Indian Education: A History by Jon Reyhner provides a comprehensive examination of the complex and often tragic history of educational policies and practices imposed on Native American communities in the United States. Spanning from the earliest colonial encounters to contemporary times, Reyhner traces the ways in which education has been used both as a tool of assimilation and, more recently, as a means of cultural preservation and empowerment. The book explores the origins of formal schooling for Indigenous peoples, including missionary and government-run boarding schools, where Native children were frequently removed from their families, punished for speaking their languages, and forced to adopt Euro-American customs. Reyhner details the devastating social, psychological, and cultural consequences of these policies, situating them within broader patterns of U.S. expansion, settler colonialism, and federal Indian policy. At the sa...

  The Great Chiefs by Time-Life Books The Great Chiefs by Time-Life Books is a richly illustrated and engaging exploration of the lives, leadership, and legacies of some of the most influential Native American leaders in history. Part of Time-Life’s acclaimed series on American history, the book combines historical narrative with vivid photographs, illustrations, and maps to provide readers with a compelling portrait of these leaders’ achievements, struggles, and enduring impact. The volume profiles prominent chiefs from diverse tribes across North America, including figures such as Sitting Bull, Tecumseh, Black Hawk, and Geronimo , examining their roles in guiding their people through periods of profound upheaval, conflict, and cultural transformation. Beyond battlefield accomplishments, the book emphasizes the political, diplomatic, and social skills these leaders employed to navigate complex relations with European settlers, the U.S. government, and neighboring tribes. Time-L...

  Our Wild Indians Our Wild Indians: Thirty-Three Years’ Personal Experience among the Red Men of the Great West is a first-person narrative recounting the extensive experiences of the author with Native American communities of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions . Framed as a “popular account,” the book combines ethnographic observation, anecdotal adventure, and frontier storytelling , providing descriptions of social life, religion, customs, habits, and cultural traits of the Indigenous peoples encountered. The narrative emphasizes dramatic encounters and thrilling exploits , reflecting both the adventurous tone typical of late 19th- and early 20th-century frontier literature and the author’s interpretation of Native life. While offering valuable historical and cultural observations, the work also mirrors contemporary attitudes and stereotypes , blending admiration with sensationalism, and thus must be read critically by modern scholars. As a historical source, the bo...

  A Study in Culture Contact and Culture Change: The Whiterock Utes in Transition

  Ouray, Chief of the Utes by Smith, P. David Ouray, Chief of the Utes by P. David Smith offers a comprehensive biography of one of the most remarkable and influential leaders in Native American history. Ouray, the Ute chief who lived from 1833 to 1880, is remembered for his diplomatic skill, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to the survival and well-being of his people during a period of intense upheaval and encroachment by European-American settlers. Smith chronicles Ouray’s life from his early years through his rise to leadership among the Ute bands of Colorado and Utah. The book details how Ouray navigated the complex and often treacherous landscape of 19th-century frontier politics, negotiating treaties with the U.S. government while striving to protect Ute lands, resources, and cultural traditions. Known for his eloquence and statesmanship, Ouray worked tirelessly to prevent conflict when possible, yet remained a steadfast advocate for his people’s sovereignty and rig...

  Utes, the Mountain People by Pettit, Jan Utes, the Mountain People by Jan Pettit offers an in-depth exploration of the history, culture, and resilience of the Ute people, the Indigenous inhabitants of the mountains and highlands of present-day Utah and Colorado. Pettit provides a vivid account of their traditional lifeways, including hunting, gathering, and social organization, emphasizing how the Utes’ knowledge of the rugged landscape shaped their survival, identity, and culture over centuries. The book traces Ute history from pre-contact times through the period of European-American expansion, settlement, and forced relocation. Pettit examines how the Utes navigated the challenges posed by the arrival of explorers, fur traders, and Mormon settlers, highlighting both the conflicts that arose and the strategies of negotiation, adaptation, and diplomacy that Ute leaders employed. Through detailed storytelling, the book illuminates the experiences of notable figures such as Chie...

  Buffalo Bill at the Torture Stake, or, a Close Call among the Utes Buffalo Bill at the Torture Stake, or, a Close Call among the Utes by Prentiss Ingraham is a fast-paced, action-driven adventure novel set in the American West during the late 19th century. The story follows the legendary figure of Buffalo Bill Cody as he encounters danger, conflict, and intrigue while navigating the rugged landscapes inhabited by the Ute people. True to the style of dime novels popular in the era, Ingraham’s work blends thrilling escapades with sensationalized portrayals of frontier life, Native Americans, and the challenges of westward expansion. The narrative centers on a dramatic episode in which Buffalo Bill faces capture and peril while traversing Ute territory, providing a “close call” that tests his courage, ingenuity, and survival skills. Ingraham uses suspense, vivid descriptions of the mountainous terrain, and high-stakes encounters to engage readers, creating a story designed to ente...

  The Last War Trail: The Utes and the Settlement of Colorado by Emmitt, Robert The Last War Trail: The Utes and the Settlement of Colorado by Robert Emmitt is a comprehensive historical study of the Ute people during the turbulent period of Colorado’s settlement in the 19th century. Emmitt chronicles the complex interactions between Ute communities and Euro-American settlers, miners, and government officials, highlighting the political, cultural, and military pressures that culminated in the Utes’ forced displacement from much of their ancestral lands. The book focuses on the events leading up to and including the Utes’ final conflicts with the United States, often referred to as the “last war trail.” Emmitt details the social, economic, and environmental changes that reshaped the region, from the discovery of gold and silver to the establishment of towns and railroads. The work explores both armed confrontations and diplomatic efforts, examining the strategies Ute leaders emplo...

  Ute People: An Historical Study by Lyman, June Ute People: An Historical Study by June Lyman is a thorough examination of the history, culture, and political struggles of the Ute people, with particular attention to the 20th-century period known as Termination . Lyman traces Ute history from pre-contact times through European-American settlement, highlighting how the Utes adapted to the harsh mountain and plateau environments while maintaining vibrant cultural and social traditions. A central focus of the work is the Utes’ experience under U.S. federal Indian policy , especially during the mid-20th century, when the federal government pursued a policy of Termination and assimilation . Under Termination, the Utes—like many other tribes—faced the loss of federal recognition, the dissolution of tribal governments, and the privatization of communal lands. Lyman details how this policy threatened the political, economic, and cultural survival of the Ute people, forcing them to navig...

  Service on the Indian Reservations Service on the Indian Reservations offers a firsthand account of life and administration on Native American reservations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as experienced by a U.S. Indian Agent. The book details the author’s time inspecting agencies, overseeing operations, and serving as an intermediary between the federal government and various tribes. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, the work provides insight into the daily realities of reservation life, including challenges related to governance, health, education, and relations between Native communities and federal authorities. The author recounts interactions with multiple tribes, illustrating both the diversity of Indigenous cultures and the complexities of U.S. policies aimed at “civilizing” or assimilating Native populations. The book highlights the tensions inherent in federal Indian policy, showing how agents navigated conflicting responsibilities: enforci...

  The Rape of Indian Lands The Rape of Indian Lands by Paul Wallace Gates is a seminal historical study examining the systematic dispossession of Native American lands in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Gates meticulously documents the legal, political, and economic mechanisms—particularly treaties, legislation, and government policies—that facilitated the transfer of millions of acres from Indigenous nations to settlers, railroads, and private interests. The book provides a detailed account of key policies such as the Allotment Act (Dawes Act) of 1887 , which sought to break up communal tribal lands into individual plots while opening “surplus” lands to non-Native settlement. Gates explores how these policies, often justified under the guise of “civilizing” Native peoples, resulted in widespread fraud, coercion, and corruption, leading to catastrophic loss of land, resources, and sovereignty for Indigenous communities. Gates also examines the human c...

  Study on Termination of Federal Supervision on Indian Reservations Study on Termination of Federal Supervision on Indian Reservations is a government and policy-focused work analyzing the termination policy of the mid-20th century, through which the U.S. federal government sought to end its trust relationship with certain Native American tribes . The study examines the legal, social, and economic implications of terminating federal supervision , including the loss of federal services, the dissolution of tribal sovereignty, and the transfer of land and governance responsibilities to state and local authorities. The work evaluates the historical context leading to termination policies, including post–World War II political pressures, assimilationist ideologies, and debates over economic self-sufficiency. It also explores the impact on tribal communities , highlighting both the intended goals of integration into mainstream society and the often devastating consequences, such as ...

  Probst v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, 400 U.S. 926 (1970) (No. 637)

  Moosman v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, 400 U.S. 927 (1970) (No. 638)

  Petroglyphs and Pictographs of Utah Petroglyphs and Pictographs of Utah by Kenneth Bitner Castleton is a comprehensive study of the ancient rock art of Utah, exploring the rich visual heritage left by Indigenous peoples over thousands of years. The book examines both petroglyphs —images carved or pecked into rock surfaces—and pictographs —painted or drawn figures—tracing their distribution across Utah’s mountains, deserts, and canyonlands. Castleton provides detailed descriptions of the symbols, motifs, and techniques used by Native artists, situating them within their cultural, religious, and social contexts. The book highlights how these images served as tools for communication, storytelling, ceremonial practice, and territorial marking among the Ute, Paiute, Fremont, and other Indigenous groups of the region. In addition to cataloging thousands of sites, Castleton discusses the challenges of preservation, interpretation, and the impact of modern development on these fragile...

  Some Plant Names of the Ute Indians Some Plant Names of the Ute Indians by Ralph V. Chamberlin is a focused ethnobotanical study documenting the traditional plant knowledge of the Ute people. Chamberlin, a prominent early 20th-century anthropologist and naturalist, catalogues the Ute names for various local plants, providing insight into how Indigenous communities understood, classified, and utilized the flora of the Utah and Colorado region. The work goes beyond mere nomenclature, exploring the connections between language, culture, and the environment. By recording the Ute terms for medicinal, edible, and utilitarian plants, Chamberlin illuminates the intricate knowledge systems that allowed the Utes to thrive in the challenging landscapes of the mountains, valleys, and plateaus of the American West. This study serves as both a linguistic and ethnobotanical resource, offering valuable information for researchers in anthropology, linguistics, history, and Native American stud...

  Background on the 1961 Termination of the Mixed-Blood Utes of the Uinta and Ouray Reservation, Utah

Water Rights of the Ute Indian Tribe Uintah and Ouray Reservation  

  Ute Indians Hit a $31.7 Million Jackpot in Payment for Lands Taken 70 Years Ago Life Magazine, 24 Jul 1950

  Indians at Work: A News Sheet for Indians and the Indian Service  is a historical periodical that provides insight into the daily operations, policies, and communications of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the broader federal Indian service. Published as a news sheet, it served as both an informational resource for Native Americans and a record of the government’s efforts to manage and oversee Indian reservations and programs. The publication covers a wide range of topics, including education, employment, health services, agricultural projects, vocational training, and community initiatives. It documents government programs designed to promote self-sufficiency among Native communities, while also reflecting the paternalistic attitudes and assimilationist policies that characterized much of federal Indian policy during its time. In addition to reporting on official policies and programs,  Indians at Work  includes stories of individual achievement, succe...

  Reed & Paul Reyos Family History

  Timpanogos Town: Story of Old Battle Creek and Pleasant Grove, Utah Timpanogos Town: Story of Old Battle Creek and Pleasant Grove, Utah is a local history that chronicles the development of Battle Creek and Pleasant Grove in Utah, focusing on their settlement, growth, and community life. The book traces the origins of the towns, highlighting early pioneers, founding families, and civic institutions , and situates their histories within the broader context of Utah’s settlement and expansion in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The narrative includes accounts of social, economic, and religious life , documenting agriculture, local businesses, schools, and community organizations. Attention is also given to the interaction with Indigenous peoples , particularly the Ute, and how these interactions shaped settlement patterns and local history. Rich in photographs, maps, and biographical sketches , the work provides a detailed portrait of small-town life and the cumulative efforts ...

  Conversations with Connor Chapoose, A Leader of the Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. PDF DOWNLOAD Connor Chapoose (1905–1961) , fluent in both English and Ute, devoted his life to serving his people in local and national forums. He held numerous offices within the tribal government, worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and played a key role in establishing the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944. In 1960, while recuperating from surgery, he participated in a series of 13 recorded conversations with John Boyden. These discussions, later transcribed and published, provide an invaluable record of his perspective. The publication, endorsed by his children, includes their eloquent biographical sketch—the only interpretive framework provided for the narratives. They wrote (p. ii): “[Connor] was strict in teaching us the Indian way of life, culture, and values, and especially in speaking the Ute language. As of today, we, the children of Connor, spe...

Native American Indians — Ute Oral Histories | Fred Conetah, 1969 Fred Conetah (Ute), 1969 Item — Reel: 191 Topics include travel, the National Archives, and an inauguration. Total running time: 23 minutes. Interviewed and recorded by Norma Denver in Roosevelt, Utah. Doris Duke American Indian Oral History Project audio recordings (A0001). J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections. Audio Link TRANSCRIPT Ute Oral Histories | Fred Conetah, 1969

“The Knowledge of the White People” In a 1960 interview, Connor Chapoose described the transition for Ute children from the Uintah Boarding School at Whiterocks, which closed in 1952, to the public schools in the Uinta Basin. Families in the tribe, he explained, “pretty much faced that we have to go to school, that the law meant for us to go to school and to acquire, to get to know the knowledge of the white people.” But public school districts often failed Native children. Chapoose recalled that Ute students were made to sit in the back of classrooms and were frequently called “dumb” by their white peers. White parents, he said, even warned their children: “Don’t you play with that filthy Indian.” The result, in Chapoose’s view, was that Ute children struggled in school—underperforming not because of ability, but because of the systemic barriers placed before them. Native American Indians — Ute Oral Histories | Connor Chapoose (Part I) Native American Indians — Ute Oral Histories...