The Ute Indian Tribe, primarily based in Utah, is composed of three bands: the Uintah, the White River, and the Uncompahgre. By the early 20th century, these bands had settled on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. However, due to various treaties and federal policies, the tribe’s land base was significantly reduced.
The 1954 Proposed Ute Rolls refer to the list of individuals identified as members of the Ute Tribe, specifically in the context of the Ute Partition Act of 1954. This legislation aimed to divide the assets of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah among its members. Here’s an overview of the context and implications of the proposed rolls:
The following database contains 2 rolls, the Full Blood Roll and the Mixed Blood Roll of the Ute Tribe of Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah. These are the PROPOSED rolls, and do not signify that the individuals listed upon it actually received any distribution under Title 25, Chapter 14, Subchapter 28, U.S. Code.
Ute Partition Act of 1954
The Ute Partition Act was enacted by Congress in August 1954, with the intent to divide the tribe into two distinct groups:
- Mixed-Blood Utes: Members who were considered to have a lower degree of Ute ancestry.
- Full-Blood Utes: Members who were deemed to have a higher degree of Ute ancestry.
This division was based on the concept of blood quantum, a controversial and often criticized measure used by the federal government to determine Native American identity and membership.
Proposed Rolls
To implement the Ute Partition Act, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) compiled a roll of all eligible Ute members. The rolls were intended to:
- Identify those who would be considered Mixed-Blood and those considered Full-Blood.
- Determine how the tribe’s assets, including land, water rights, and other resources, would be divided between the two groups.
Controversy and Impact
The creation of these rolls and the subsequent partition of assets had significant and lasting effects on the Ute community:
Cultural Division: The partition created a formal division within the tribe, leading to tensions and a sense of fragmentation among members.
Economic Impact: Mixed-Blood Utes, who were typically allocated fewer resources, often faced greater economic challenges. Many Mixed-Blood Utes were eventually terminated from federal recognition, losing their legal status as Native Americans and the associated benefits.
Legal and Social Repercussions: The Act and the proposed rolls have been the subject of legal battles and criticism, as they were seen as part of the broader federal policy of termination, which sought to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society by dissolving tribal governments and eliminating reservations.