Indians of North America; Indian Reservations; Land Use; Whites--Relations with Indians;
Place names
Fort Duchesne (Utah); Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation (Utah); Utah; Washington (D.C.);
Keyword
Indian Agency/ Reservations; Ute Indians; Land; Land Use; Land Rights; Indian/White Relations; Tribal Government;
Tribe
Ute;
Band
White River; Uncompahgre; Uintah;
Description
This document contains a transcript of a meeting among the bands of the Ute Indian tribe living on the Uintah Ouray Reservation. Shawtoinchachicut, a White River, objects to being a participant in the business committee. Superintendent Tidwell expresses his intentions and purpose for attending the meeting, which include rectifying mistreatment by the federal government. The White River and Uncompahgre representatives ask permission to send a delegation to Washington D.C. Henry Roe Cloud uses a parable to explain the purpose behind creating this council;
Publisher
Digitized by: J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah;
Date.original
1927-05-02;
Type
Text;
Format
application/pdf;
File name
2of2-Fd15-SS002
Language
eng;
Coverage
Fort Duchesne (Utah); Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation (Utah); Utah; Washington (D.C.);
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
May 2, 1927
Uintah & Ouray Indian Agency
Ft. Duchesne
Utah
Superintendent Tidwell: "My friends, as I see it this meeting means a good
deal to you people in the future. It is a beginning of a business administration.
For that reason I am going to ask that all of us stand and that Dick Wash ask
God Almighty to be with us through this meeting this afternoon.
(Prayer by Dick Wash)
Superintendent Tidwell: "At our last meeting it was decided, in view of the
fact that there were so many, that each band, the Whiterivers, the Uintahs, the
Uncompahgres, would select six headmen who would come in on this date. We will
now have the names of the six men from the Whiteriver band.
(The Whiterivers stated that they did not know that the purpose
of this meeting was to select these six men.)
The following men were selected to represent the Uintah band: John Duncan,
Wm. Wash, Jim Atwine, Dick Wanrodes, John Copperfield, and Grasshopper.
Shawtoinchachicut, (Whiteriver Band) "I would like to know what your purpose
was when you first came to this reservation. Ever since we Indians were put on
this reservation by the Government we have never been dealt with fair. I have yet
to hear what your purpose was when you came out here. We Whiterivers don't understand
the purpose of this Business Committee. Remember the last time I spoke I
said that I was just an Indian and felt that I should have the right to be treated
like an Indian and have my rights as an Indian. I am opposed to this Business
Committee. I don't want the way of the white man. When we.were placed here on
this reservation it was understood that we should always get our rations and our
regular monthly payments. George Washington wanted us to live as Indians as I
understand it."
Nannats, (Uncompahgre) I don't think it is right for anyone to express
themselves not knowing what we are trying to get at."
Soccioff, (Whiteriver Band) "I don't know you very well and don't know from
where you came. Did you come from Washington? If you didn't come from Washington
I don't know whether to believe you have the authority. I understood when the
Government took us over that we would all get fair treatment. There are so many
things that come up that we do not understand and are most acquainted with. I
think that when you bring matters to our attention that you do not tell us everything
that is going on at Washington. There is always something left out. I
hope your talk today will be nothing but straight talk and tell us what your
purpose is. In that way we can get along better with each other. We have been
up against it all the time on this reservation. We do not have money to cloth
ourselves good. The school children at Whiterocks are in need of food and clothing.
You are in charge of these children; where have you been. You have not been
taking care of our needs. This is what I heard. My purpose in saying what I am
saying is if you have authority to protect us and care for us that you should and
see that we get our needs and our rights."
Superintendent Tidwell: "I want to say a few words and I want it thoroughly
interpreted and especially to you Whiterivers. When I cam here November the 1st I
was informed that the Government of the United States was not treating the
Whiterivers right. That they have not been giving you rations as they had agreed
to do. The they had taken your land away from you and not paid you for it. They
they had mistreated you in a great many ways, and that you wanted to hire attorneys
and sue the Governement of the United States for your just rights. Now then T have
