War Cry on a Prayer Feather by Nancy C. Wood (published 1979) is a unique collection of poems and prose that reflects the beliefs, ethics, spiritual insights, and cultural experiences of the Ute Indians of Colorado and New Mexico. Rather than a conventional history book, it brings together expressive writings that capture the voices, worldview, and cultural traditions of a people whose way of life has been deeply affected by historical change.
The selections in the book include lyrical poems and narrative passages that speak to themes such as connection with the land, reverence for nature and the Great Spirit, endurance through hardship, and the search for meaning and identity in a changing world. These texts—some traditional, some modern—offer readers both cultural insight and poetic reflection, serving as a window into the spiritual heart of Ute life. Alongside the words are evocative photographs that further illuminate the beauty and dignity of Ute culture.