historic american indians

Ute, Navajo, Goshute, Shoshone, and Pauite

Historic American Indians

Ute

11 different bands of Utes lived in UtahThey moved back and forth from the

mountainsThey started using horses in the 1600’s

Hunted bisonRaided CaliforniaStole Paiute women and children and sold them

as slaves

Lived in small family groups. After they got horses, the groups became larger bands.

Had leaders, but not what we call “chiefs.” Some were spiritual leaders, some helped direct specific activities, and some just offered suggestions.

Traveled through larger regions hunting, fishing, and gathering plants throughout the seasons.

Gathered cactus, seeds, and roots to store for winter in buried baskets. Also hunted and dried meat for winter.

Told stories of creation and more during the winter.

Lived in brush shelters or tipis.Wore clothes made from shredded bark or animal

hides, and used rabbit-fur robes in winter.Used a medicine man to heal. Acquired horses, which let them travel more widely.

They could go to the Great Plains to hunt buffalo. Some also became skilled at stealing horses from California and elsewhere.

Stole women and children from Paiutes and Goshutes and sold them to the Spanish and Mexicans for slaves.

Knew the mountains well and used them for refuge.

Tipi at Kanosh in 1883

A Ute Warrior and his bride-1873 or 1874

He is said to have seen the Mormon Pioneers enter the Salt Lake Valley

A woman with a cradleboard in the 1940’s

Navajo

May have migrated from CanadaThey say they communicated with Ancient

Pueblo Native AmericansSpanish Explorers came and effected

Introduced sheep to Navajo peopleNavajo people started farming and herding

sheep because of them

Hogan

Child riding a donkey

Pouring batter into a pit to make ceremonial bread used in the Kin-nhl-dah celebration--when a girl reaches womanhood.

http://www.ilovehistory.utah.gov/people/first_peoples/tribes/navajo.html

Navajo Code Talkers

Goshute

Desert liversLived in family groups that moved around a lot finding

food.Spent much of their time looking for food, since they

lived in an area that did not have a lot of food sources.Hunted animals and birds, fished, and gathered insects

like grasshoppers and all kinds of plants, like cattails, to eat.

Ate pinyon pine nuts as an important part of their diet.Wore clothes woven from plants, with rabbitskin robes

in winter.

Lived in wikiups (round shelters made from brush).

Wove beautiful baskets for many uses, including winnowing seeds.

Used other tools such as pots, grinding stones, and flint knives.

Used sweat baths and sweat lodges.Used shamans to heal illnesses and guide

them.Camped in secluded places and told myths

and stories during the winter.Played a game that used a hoop and pole.

Goshute mother and child

A man on a horse-1924 near a Goshute reservation

Lived in Northeastern UtahTraveled in small extended-family groups,

living in caves, wickiups, or tepees.Gathered roots and plants.Used pinyon pine nuts as a major source of

food.

Shoshone

Gathered seeds and ground them into meal and made mush or bread.

Gathered berries like chokecherries, service berries, and gooseberries.

Wore clothing made from animal skins.Hunted small animals and birds like rabbits, squirrels,

ducks, grouse and doves.Hunted large animals like deer, elk, and antelope.Ate insects like crickets.Made pottery and baskets.Told stories during the winter.

A Shoshone leader in 1870

Lived in Southern UtahUtes sometimes would steal their woman and

children and sell them into slaveryMoved frequently to gather and hunt.Lived in cone-shaped wickiups (especially in

winter) or in the open air. Later some used tepees.

Paiute

Knew plants very well—they used at least 96 species of plants.Used the pinyon pine nut as an important food.Ate big and small animals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects.Gathered and ate wild seeds, plants, roots.Caught fish and small animals.Prayed to influence the spirits of nature and to show respect and

gratitude. They called the most powerful spirit being “The One Who Made the Earth.”

Grew corn, squash, beans, sunflowers, wheat, melons.Wore clothing made from skins and plants; or wore little clothing

in warm weather.Traveled and lived in small family groups of 15-30.Wove baskets for storage and carrying water; hats; trays for

winnowing seeds; and bowls. Also made pottery.

Carrying water jugs with their heads

Wikiup

Wikiups

Hunter in St. George-1870’s