Ute Language and Culture Program
The Ute Language Program was established in October 1983. This program is the result of a series of projects initiated since 1970 to foster and preserve the Ute language and cultural traditions. The primary intent of this program is to strengthen self-concept and identity among Ute Indian youth and the Ute Indian community through the use of the Ute language in the school, the home, and the community. The Ute Tribe Business Committee adopted the Ute Language Policy in April 1984. It is believed that the Ute Indian Tribe was the first American Indian Tribe to adopt such a policy within the continental United States.
The Ute Language Policy governs the operation of the Ute Language Program. The Ute Language Policy establishes the Ute language as the official language of the Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute language may be used during official tribal government business. The Policy authorizes the establishment of a Ute Language, Culture and Traditions committee. The purpose of the committee is to serve as the primary planning, screening, and review board for all issues pertaining to the Ute Language, Ute History, Ute Culture and other related activities on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The Ute Language Program Director and the Ute Language, Culture and Traditions Committee work closely with all programs or organizations who wish to provide Ute language or cultural services to the children or communities of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The Ute Language Program Director also answers questions about the Ute language from around the country.
The Ute Language Policy requires that Ute language instruction be provided for all children from pre-school through 12th grade. The Policy requires that the local education agencies implement a Ute language instructional program as a part of their regular curriculum. To help implement this Policy, the Ute Language Program Director is continuing to develop a language curriculum for beginning speakers. This program is adaptable to the lower grade levels.
The Ute Language Program is currently working to expand Ute Language instruction in the four major Ute communities. There will be Language Teaching Techniques and Methodology workshops for those speakers who want to teach the Ute Language to their families or in the community. The Ute Language Program Director is currently teaching an adult Ute Language class and teaching Ute Language, Ute History and Art Foundations at the Uintah River High School. In addition to these activities, the program director is planning to conduct a community Ute Language needs assessment to help focus program’s activities. The director is also seeking more community involvement in the program through asking for direct suggestions and volunteers to improve the program.
Projects currently under development include developing Ute Language curriculum and materials for high school students, a revision of the Nooahpahgahp book, and rewriting the Ute Language Revitalization Plan. Also audio and visual materials are being prepared for the Ute Tribe Head Start program. The Ute Language Program Director actively seeks outside funding to support the program and is currently applying for a Administration for Native Americans Language Preservation grant.