Ute Tribe
We are beginning an important new chapter in our Colorado Social Studies learning! As we continue exploring Colorado's history and the people who have called this land home, we will be learning about the Ute people of Colorado.
🌄 What Will We Be Learning?
Our goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the history, culture, traditions, communities, and continuing presence of the Ute people in Colorado.
Students will explore:
- Ute History – Learning about the long history of the Ute people in Colorado, including life before European contact and important events that changed Ute communities.
- People, Places & Environment – Exploring the relationship between the Ute people, the land, natural resources, and the environment of Colorado.
- Cultural Heritage & Diversity – Learning about Ute traditions, stories, language, arts, and cultural practices.
- Cultural & Social Structures – Exploring how communities are organized and how traditions and knowledge are passed from one generation to another.
- Citizenship – Learning about community, responsibility, leadership, and the continuing role of the Ute people in Colorado today.
These topics are organized into five units within the Nuu~ciu Strong resource.
🧭 Looking Beyond a Traditional History Lesson
One of the most important ideas we will discuss is that the Ute people are not only part of Colorado's history—they are part of Colorado today.
Colorado is home to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, two federally recognized tribes. Students will learn about the history of these communities while also recognizing their continuing cultures, traditions, languages, and contributions to Colorado.
We will also practice thinking like historians by asking questions such as:
💭 Who is telling this story?
💭 What can we learn from different perspectives?
💭 How did geography influence the way people lived?
💭 How did historical events affect communities?
💭 What has changed, and what has continued?
💭 Why is it important to learn history from the people who experienced it?
🏡 Try This at Home
You don't need to complete an assignment to support this learning! Simply having conversations about Colorado's history can make a big difference.
Try asking your child:
"Who lived in Colorado before it became the state we know today?"
"How might the mountains, rivers, plants, and animals of Colorado have influenced the way people lived?"
"Why is it important to learn about a culture from that culture's own perspective?"
You can also look at a map of Colorado together and explore the areas where the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are located.
❤️ Learning With Respect
As we study this unit, we will focus on learning with curiosity, respect, and an understanding that cultures are living and continuing to grow. We will listen carefully to the stories and perspectives shared through this resource and consider how history connects to Colorado today.
We are excited to learn more about the people whose history and culture are an important part of the story of Colorado!