The Ute people occupied the eastern area of the Great Basin Desert region and the rocky Mountains of most of Utah, Colorado, southern Wyoming and northern New Mexico. The Ute were divided into three basic groups ,which are divided further into a total of 11 bands living on three reservations. The three groups are the Northern Ute with 8 bands, the Southern Ute with 2 bands and the Mountain Ute with 1 band.
The Ute used the desert resources for hunting and gathering, but adopted many cultural traits from the Southwest and Plains, including the Sun Dance. The working of buckskin, basket, and elaborate beadwork is still popular and used in traditional exchange of gifts as well as sold in gift shops.
Native American Desert Peoples Index
Prehistoric Desert Peoples Index
