Cultural Preservation

Mission

The mission of the Cultural Preservation Department is to revitalize, promote, sustain and document the culture, language, and history in a manner that honors the past generations, ensures a healthy and balanced tribal community, utilizes the advice and knowledge of the elders, and educates the general public in a manner that serves tribal interests.

Tribal Historic Preservation Office

The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer completes the following functions: direct and conduct a comprehensive survey and maintain an inventory of historic and culturally significant properties on Tribal lands, identify and nominate eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places and otherwise administer applications for listing historic properties on the National Register, develop and implement a comprehensive, historic preservation plan covering historic, archeological, and traditional cultural properties on Tribal lands, and advise and assist (where appropriate) Federal and State agencies and local governments in carrying out review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). In addition, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer collaborates with other Cultural Preservation Department staff on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) studies, reviewing projects throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Kansas that may impact Ute cultural resources, and consulting with external entities to ensure the Ute history and perspective are accurately represented.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

Enacted in 1990, NAGPRA requires museums and federal agencies that receive federal funds to consult with Tribes to identify and repatriate Native American remains, funerary items, and objects of cultural significance held in their collections. The Southern Ute NAGPRA officials administer the consultation, evaluation, and return of remains and cultural items. Southern Ute NAGPRA officials are responsible for carefully reviewing museum inventories across the United States, collaborate with Tribal, state, and federal government officials, and is the primary contact for inadvertent discoveries within the Southern Ute Reservation.

Ute Language and Cultural Education

Ute Language and Cultural Education oversees the conservation and revitalization efforts of Ute language and culture through the development of Ute cultural presentations and workshops, the implementation of Culture Camp, Ute language classes, and the distribution of Ute language and cultural materials. In addition, Ute Language and Cultural Education assists with the implementation of the Southwest Indigenous Language Development Institute (SILDI) at Fort Lewis College.

To request Ute language materials, please visit the following link Ute Language Resources. For Ute language videos, please visit Ute Language.

Heritage and Events

Heritage and Events coordinates the Heritage Dancers, assists the Bear Dance Chief and Sun Dance Chief in the implementation of cultural events and ceremonies, and coordinates the Annual Southern Ute Tribal Fair and Rodeo.

Traditional Events and Committees

The Department serves as the budget-owner for these committees and traditional events:

• Royalty Committee
• Bear Dance
• Sun Dance
• Southern Ute Tribal Fair
• Powwow Committee
• Committee of Elders