AFFILIATED UTE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF UTAH
(A.K.A THE UINTA VALLEY SHOSHONE TRIBE)
Our Mission
We are dedicated to reaffirming our federal status
while protecting our sovereign nation and sacred lands.
Our heart is in providing essential services to our people
and offering strong leadership to honorably manage
our ancestral resources. We are also
committed to teaching the true history of the
Uinta Basin and its aboriginal inhabitants,
and to empowering the descendants
of those who came before us.
Our People
Our elders walked all across the wide Utah Territory,
a landscape named for the noble Shoshone People.
We are the true children of the Uinta Valley Reservation
and remain rooted to these sacred ancestral lands today.
While our relatives now live throughout the United States,
the warmth of our culture and our shared kinship keeps us
together as one resilient and vibrant community.
Our ancestors fought in WW1, WW2, The Korean War,
The Vietman War and Modern Gulf Wars & Global War on Terror.
Many men and women continue to serve actively
in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Our History
The foundation of the Affiliated Ute Citizens dates back to 1956,
when we first adopted our federally recognized constitution.
Our story is deeply rooted in the Utah Territory,
as our ancestors are the original stewards of
the Uinta Valley Reservation,
which was formally established in 1861
and later confirmed by Congress in 1864.
We take great pride in our identity as the Uinta Band,
the original federal tribe of this beautiful Reservation.
Our commitment to our sovereignty was made clear in 1934,
when our people voted to embrace the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA),
a pivotal moment that solidified our standing with
the federal government.
Historically, there have been misunderstandings
we are working to clear up.
In 1937, our Constitution was issued under
a name that didn't quite fit us.
It is important to share that the Confederated Utes of Colorado,
who were disbanded in 1880 and became state citizens,
do not share an ancestral tie
or legal interest in our specific Reservation lands.
Though paperwork from the past has caused
some confusion regarding our identity,
we are dedicated to setting the record straight.
What started as a heartfelt gathering of families
has blossomed into the vibrant community we are today.
We have always known that holding onto our
beautiful cultural traditions while finding our way in a
changing world is the key to a healthy future.
Our organization was born from a need to protect
the distinct federal status of our tribe
and ensure our voice remains clear and independent.
Over seven decades, we have grown together,
creating supportive programs for education,
wellness, and keeping our native language
and traditions alive.
Every step we take is shaped by
the wisdom of our elders
and the needs of our families.
Currently, we are in a warm and active dialogue
with the Department of the Interior
to fix old administrative mistakes.
We want to ensure our Constitution truly reflects
who we are as a people.
Today, we stand tall as a family of strength,
honoring the path our ancestors walked
while building a bright for our children.