The Northern Ute Tribe resides on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in Northeastern Utah. Three bands of Utes comprise the Northern Ute Tribe: the Whiteriver Band, Uncompahgre Band and the Uintah Band. The Uintah Band was first to call the Uintah Basin their home, later the Whiteriver and Uncompahgre bands were removed from Colorado to the Uintah Valley Reservation, thus creating the Uintah & Ouray Reservation. There are 2,970 tribal members.
Our governing body uses the band system. Each band elects two representatives to a four year term in a two year cycle.
These elected officials are:
Luke Duncan, Chairman, Whiteriver Band Rep. Tony Small, Vice Chairman,Uncompahgre Band Rep. Sal Wopsock, Uintah Band Rep. Edred Secakuku, Whiteriver Band Rep. Ronald Wopsock, Uintah Band Rep. Shaun Chapoose, Uncompahgre Band Rep.
The Ute Tribe holds activities throughout the year. Each season brings different activities. In the spring we hold our Bear Dances, which is our traditional dance practiced and alive for many generations. Summer months bring the Pow-Wow season on with our annual July 4th Pow-Wow, as well as other Pow-Wows throughout the year. Sundances are also held in July and August. The Thanksgiving Pow-Wow rounds things up in the fall. There are also other Pow-Wows held during the year, Education Pow-Wow, and Halloween Pow-Wow. A January Round Dance has been held in the past.
The Uintah and Ouray reservation is located in Northeastern Utah (Fort Duchesne) and is approximately 150 miles east of Salt Lake City on US Highway 40. The reservation is located within a three-county area known as the "Uintah Basin". It is the second largest Indian Reservation in the United States that covers over 4.5 million acres. Over half of its membership lives on the Reservation. Families enjoy fishing and hunting. The U&O provides for us in so many ways.