AIH-2: Five Utah Indian Tribes

Summary

Students will learn about the five Utah Indian Tribes.

Materials

Background for Teachers

This is the second of four lessons in the Fourth Grade American Indian History Lesson Plan Unit:

• AIH-1: Life for the First Inhabitants
• AIH-2: Five Utah Indian Tribes
• AIH-3: Utah Indian Contributions
• AIH-4: Utah Indian - Future Changes

Five major tribes have inhabited and continue to inhabit Utah:

1. Ute
2. Dine' (Navajo)
3. Paiute
4. Goshute
5. Shoshone

All five tribes have managed not only to survive, but progress despite their difficult past. Information on the Utah Tribes can be found at the Utah Division of Indian Affairs website: http://indian.utah.gov/utah_tribes_today/index.html

Teacher Resources:

• Tribal Lands Map
• A History of Utah's American Indians edited by Forrest S. Cuch (ISBN 0-912728-49-2)
• A Teacher's Guide for the Maps & Charts of Conquest of Indian America, Utah Office of Education 1988 (in revision)

Instructional Procedures

Essential Question: What are the characteristics of the five Utah Indian Tribes?

1. Develop an understanding of the location of the five Utah tribes. Use the Tribal Lands Map Lesson Plan (pdf).
2. View the Tribal Lands Map (pdf) and fill in locations of the different tribes in Utah on the Tribal Map handout (pdf).
3. Research information on the Utah tribes. Use the UMNH Exhibit Handout(pdf).
4. Cultural Awareness
   • Students will be able to review several names of physical features of Utah that are derived from Indian words. Handout: Utah Indian Place Names. If a teacher wishes to expand the lesson to include the United States, see USOE Lesson Plan AIH 5 Lesson Plan -- Westward Expansion. Two additional websites have information of the states and a source of the name. Over ½ of the States names were derived from Indian names. For state name information use State Name Document or Origin of State Names
   • Discuss how many cultures have developed to fulfill their needs (climate, food, shelter).
   • Develop student awareness of the uniqueness of the Utah Indian Tribes' art and design (i.e., pottery, jewelry, silversmith items, weaving, and clothing and beadwork designs and colors). Tribes and families often have specific colors that can be found in the area they live in and throughout Utah. Excellent resources can be obtained San Juan School District Media. (Books, creation stories, stories, games and music.)
   • Using a blank piece of art paper, students will draw a design that represents their family.
5. Interactive games on dye and quills, design, etc.

   Web site: NativeTech: Native American Technology and Art (http://www.nativetech.org/games/index.php)

Extensions

Source: Utah Division of Indian Affairs - http://indian.utah.gov/triballandmap.html

Bibliography

Utah State Office of Education
Social Studies Enhancement Committee
American Indian History

Lesson Plan Writers:

• Venita Tavepont - Ute
• Gennie Kirch
• Don Mose - Navajo
• Loya Arrum - Ute
• Judy Wedgeland
• Candice Turpin
• Eileen Quintana - Navajo

Under the Direction of the Indian Education Specialist, Shirlee Silversmith. Special thanks to Dolores Riley.