Utah is home to approximately 60,000 Native Americans, representing more than 50 Tribal Nations, with eight being federally recognized. These tribes are The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, Northwestern Band of Shoshone, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, and White Mesa Band of the White Mesa Ute. Each of these bring traditions, festivals, and a unique heritage.
Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation
The Uintah and Ouray Reservation spans 3 counties and is the ancestral home to the Ute Indian Tribe. The Ute Indian Tribe consists of three bands: the Whiteriver, the Uncompahgre, and the Uintah. Utah State University Uintah Basin as well as Utah State University Extension offices in Duchesne, Roosevelt, and Vernal cities reside on these traditional homelands. Utah State University Extension Office of Community Wellness is committed to our partnership with the Ute Indian Tribe through research, education, and community outreach activities.
Ute Elders Talking Circle
A monthly Ute Elder's Talking Circle will be hosted by Valentina Sireech, MFA at the Office of Community Wellness classroom. These talking circles are meant to inspire reconnection, creativity, and conversation about our communities past and future, while offering insights for a healthy community. Valentina is a member of the Ute Indian Tribe. She is a Program Coordinator III for the Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative.
Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative
The Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative mission is to reduce stigma around harm reduction, substance use disorder, and provide holistic wellness programs that support healthier tribal and rural communities. Through this initiative the Office of Community Wellness hosted an Intertribal Opioid Wellness Summit in June 2022. Speakers highlighted the Medicine Wheel, Native American traditional healing practices, as well as Western medicine. The Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative is reaching tribal and rural peoples of New Mexico and Utah with virtual naloxone trainings. Providing free Narcan to participants. Valentina Sireech hosts Art. Heal. Create. each month, promoting healing through artistic expression. An annual recovery walk is held in honor of those lost to addiction. The Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative is housed in the Office of Community Wellness.
References
- Utah State University, Office of the President, Land Acknowledgment
- Utah Division of Indian Affairs
January 2023
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet
Cross Cultural Opioid Collaboration Fact Sheet
Authors
Michelle Q. Chapoose, Cassandra Manning, Erin Fanning Madden, Katie Zaman, Claire Warnick, Suzanne Prevedel, and Sandra H. Sulzer