Being and Becoming Ute: The Story of an American Indian People

by Sondra G. Jones

Sondra Jones traces the metamorphosis of the Ute people from a society of small, interrelated bands of mobile hunter-gatherers to sovereign, dependent nations—modern tribes who run extensive business enterprises and government services. Weaving together the history of all Ute groups—in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico—the narrative describes their traditional culture, including the many facets that have continued to define them as a people. Jones emphasizes how the Utes adapted over four centuries and details events, conflicts, trade, and social interactions with non-Utes and non-Indians. Being and Becoming Ute examines the effects of boarding—and public—school education; colonial wars and commerce with Hispanic and American settlers; modern world wars and other international conflicts; battles over federally instigated termination, tribal identity, and membership; and the development of economic enterprises and political power. The book also explores the concerns of the modern Ute world, including social and medical issues, transformed religion, and the fight to maintain Ute identity in the twenty-first century.
 
Neither a portrait of a people frozen in a past time and place nor a tragedy in which vanishing Indians sank into oppressed oblivion, the history of the Ute people is dynamic and evolving. While it includes misfortune, injustice, and struggle, it reveals the adaptability and resilience of an American Indian people.

Genres: History, Native American

624 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2019

Reviews

[James Shade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not an easy read, but was fascinating regardless. In waves, it made me sad, angry, compassionate, but most of all informed. More informed than the general anthropology class I took way back in '86. But most importantly, it made me want to go visit the People who were such an integral part of the history of Colorado, and understand their culture even more.

[Betsy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot claim to really care about the Ute Nation until you’ve read this extraordinary history book. Wow.

[Alex Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

While most histories of Ute peoples presented Ute peoples of Utah and Colorado as separate groups, Sondra Jones effectively highlights their interconnected culture and experiences of settler colonialism. Sondra Jones’ Being and Becoming Ute: The Story of an American Indian People frames Ute cultural history by connecting narratives of Ute peoples spread across the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Reservation, and Southern Ute Reservation. Jones’ ambitious narrative is supported by extensive research citing Bureau of Indian Affairs records, LDS Church documents, military correspondence, and newspaper articles.The expansive and exhaustive analysis of Ute peoples begins with an overview of early Numic-speaking peoples who throughout the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains, through their initial interactions and conflicts with Spanish and Anglo-American settlers. The book excels in its detailed account of disunity among Ute bands, particularly in analyzing government efforts to force sedentary lifestyles and reservation boundaries on Ute peoples, who were traditionally-nomadic hunter gatherers. The book asserts that decades-long efforts of unifying the efforts of Ute bands became increasingly realized following efforts in managing oil and gas reserves, and gaining control over regional water rights.

[Ian Billick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of past and contemporary times. Not a lot of new historical material- the record is sparse.