History Of Utah's American Indians Forrest Cuch Published by Utah State University Press Cuch, Forrest. History Of Utah's American Indians. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2003. Project MUSE., https://muse.jhu.edu/. For additional information about this book https://muse.jhu.edu/book/9400 No institutional affiliation (26 Dec 2018 11:22 GMT) The Northern Utes of Utah Clifford Duncan Creation and Migration Stories of the Utes The story of Sinauf, the god who was half man, half wolf, and his brothers Coyote and Wolf has been told many times in tipis and wickiups. According to Ute legend, these powerful animal-people kept the world in balance before humans were created. After Sinauf made people, hu­ mans took responsibility to care for the world, and in time they created many stories of their predecessors. These stories became the basis of Ute history and culture and defined the relationship of Ute Indians with all living elements, both spiritually and physically. Most often the stories were told during the winter months. As snow drifted in under the tipis through little gaps, children scrambled to cover the drafts. By the fire sat the elder, the storyteller. His listeners sat in a circle, bundled tightly in warm buffalo or rabbit robes, waiting eagerly for him to begin what could be a long night of stories. There were tales of acts of courage during summer's skirmishes and bravery during the fall hunts to be added to the tribe's oral history. But, always a favorite was the story of how the Nuche-the Utes-first came to be. "Far to the south Sin auf was preparing for a long journey to the north. He had made a bag, and in this bag he placed selected pieces of sticks-all different yet the same size. The bag was a magic bag. Once Sinauf put the sticks into the bag, they changed into people. As he put more and more sticks into the bag, the noise the people made inside grew louder, thus arousing the curiosity of the animals. "After filling his magic bag, Sinauf closed it and went to prepare for his journey. Among the animals, Coyote was the most curious. In fact, this particular brother of Sin auf was not only curious but contrary as well, opposing almost everything Sin auf created and often getting into trouble. When Coyote heard about Sinauf's magic bag full of stick people, he grew very curious. 'I want to see what those people look like; he -167- -168- A History of Utah's American that, he made a little hole with his knife near the of the bag and peeked in, He laughed at what he saw and heard, for the people were a strange new creation and had many languages and sons. "When Sinauf his preparations and prayers he was ready for the journey northward, He picked up bag, threw it over his shoul­ der and headed for the Una-u-quich, the distant high mountains, From the tops of those mountains, could see long distances across plains to the east north, and from there he plai,ned to distribute the people throughout the world. "Sinauf was anxious to complete his long journey, so he did not take time to eat and soon became very weak. Due to his weakness, he did not notice the bag getting lighter. For, through Coyote's hole in the top of the bag, the people had been jumping out, a at a time. Those who jumped out created their families, bands, and tribes. "Finally reaching the Una-u-quich, Sinauf stopped. As he sat down he noticed the hole in the bag and how light it was. The only people left were those at the bottom of the As he gently lifted them out to them and said, 'My children, I call you Utikas, and you shall roam these beautiful mountains. Be brave and strong,' Then he carefully put them in different places, singing a song as he did so. ~When he finished, he left them there and returned to his home in the south."l Other myths tell of the creation of diversity in the land and how various creatures chose their own special places. They also howani­ mals people lost the ability to communicate with each other, drift­ ing into different lifeways. Lifeways In pre-horse days, Ute family groups lived largely independently of others. Interfamily cooperation was limited to a few activities, Some ac­ tivities were directed by a leader, who was "Chief" only as long as the activity needed supervision. Men and women who acquired reputations for wisdom, spiritual power, healing ability, or success in hunting or war­ fare were consulted. food resources were abundant enough to en­ able a number of families to live in the same village, there was leader. His authority was limited to suggestions; he had no enforce his suggestions. Men hunted fished, made ropes, bows, arrows. They read the stars of the and the geography of the while traveling the seasonal circuit of the territory. Some were also shamans, song­ singers, or temporary leaders. Those displayed skill in hunting and The Northern Utes -169- A Ute brush wickiup used as a summer dwelling. (Marriott Library, University of Utah-U of U) defending the People were admired. Women gathered foods and pre­ pared them, sewed and repaired clothing and shelters, hauled wood and carried water, prepared medicines for the sick. Children were loved, fondled, and amused with stories, and songs. The acquisition of the enabled the Utes to travel more widely in search of foods and to that food from farther distances. Thus, the People could gather in larger villages for longer periods of time. As groups grew larger, some leaders acquired more followers, although none had authority over all aspects of Ute life. They were considered leaders because people chose to follow them, not because they chose to govern. The Ute people followed the of the seasons. Each group trav- eled within a specific territory in search of food, returning to their hunt­ ing and gathering areas year after year. In general, the pattern was mov­ ing to deserts valleys during the winter and to mountains in the summer. When the gathering season began, families would leave winter villages and go out into the hills and desert valleys. Ute women and cactus, various barks and and roots and tubers. Many of these plants and seeds were dried, placed in baskets, and stored in pits -170- A History of Utah's American Indians A Ute summer dwelling. (USHS) and then covered with To gather the seeds, the women woven baskets. During the gathering season, the men kept busy either helping with the gathering or hunting small desert animals. The men set deadfalls to catch a few rodents, squirrels, or birds to supplement the diet. They also used a method of setting fire to brush and killing animals that emerged. The time of summer harvesting was especially good for the Utes. The seeds, berries, and roots were plentiful. It was a time when families together for hunts and gossip about their time when seeds had to be meat had to be dried, clothing had to be made and repaired, as did utensils such as pouches and bags, and water jugs. This was also the time of great large­ game hunts, including some for buffalo. Many families would get to- The Northern Utes -171- Sai-ar's encampment and in the Uinta Photographed by John Hillers, 1873-74. (USHS) gether, feasting and preparing for the hunt. The hunters would ride out to find and bring back as much meat as they could carry. When the men returned, there was another gathering, with gambling, singing, and court- ing. These were very important socially. When the snow came, the People left their homes in the hills for the warmer flatlands. Women assembled their supply of seeds, roots, pine nuts, and dried berries and put them into storage pits. They piled meat on willow racks at the top of their tipis and hung jerky from the poles. They stored willows for making baskets, fiber, and string. They stored great bunches of rabbitskin cordage for blankets. Throughout the winter the men hunted. shot birds small animals with their bows and arrows and did some ice fishing. They also trapped small rodents and birds. The People knew to use alternate sources for food if game became scarce. The long winter evenings were -172- A History of Utah's American Indians Two Ute woman at a spring in the Uinta Valley. Photographed by John K. Hillers in 1873 or 1874. (USHS) slttmg the fire to the old ones tell stories the creation and why things were the way they were. The Utes lived a busy but happy life, enjoying the bounty of nature. The shelter and clothing of the Utes their lifestyle. Being often on the move, everything had to be either portable or disposable. in either shelters or The environment determined kind of housing. In the desert materials were scarce, brush or grass to make shelters. In more forested lands, there were trees for lodge poles and big-game animals for hides. These were tanned and sewn together with sinew of different animals to make tipfs cover. The brush willow were cool in the summer but could be heated outside. One might build in the course a year's travels, leaving them as they The tipi was portable, easily raised, waterproof. its wind­ deflecting small flap at the top, it was well ventilated even with a fire burning inside.