For Immediate Release July 1, 2004
Contact:  Michael J. Williams  (970)  882-5624, Vaughn Whatley  (303) 239-3766

UTE LEADERS AND LEGACY ON EXHIBIT AT ANASAZI HERITAGE CENTER

Portraits and artifacts representing Ute history will go on display at the Anasazi Heritage Center in the special exhibition "Ute Leaders and Legacies" beginning July 19 and continuing through September 12

The exhibit includes a collection of rare, old photographs of Ouray, Chipeta, Ignacio, Severo, Buckskin Charlie, and other people who struggled to preserve tribal integrity and Ute traditions during a difficult time. Alongside portraits of these famous individuals are other photos illustrating family life, school classes, housing, games and recreations, and ceremonial dress.

Modern examples of Ute beadwork as well as historic artifacts will also form part of the exhibit. Ute Mountain Ute tribal member Virginia Cuthair has provided family crafts and heirlooms. Older materials are on loan from the Museum of Western Colorado in Grand Junction. The photographic prints were donated to the Anasazi Heritage Center by the Taylor Museum in Colorado Springs.

The Ute people occuped much of Colorado, Utah, and northern New Mexico until the mid 19th century. They developed a dsitinctive culture based upon the mountain and plataeu environment of their homeland. Their culture was greatly impacted by the arrival of Spanish colonists and later by emigrants from the eastern U.S. Expanding white settlement and the prospect of mineral wealth created conflicts that led to the loss of most of their ancestral territory. Today there are three Ute reservations-- two in Southwest Colorado, and one in Northeast Utah.

The Anasazi Heritage Center is three miles west of Dolores on Highway 184, and is open daily from 9 to 5. Cultural programs and tours of the adjacent Escalante Pueblo take place daily throughout the summer season. Special events and exhibits are made possible by the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. For more information, call (970) 882-5600, or visit the Center's web site at www.co.blm.gov/ahc.

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