This Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Utah Football will honor a tradition that extends beyond the gridiron: the University of Utah’s annual Ute Proud game. Players wear specially designed Ute Proud helmets, and members of the Ute Indian Tribe perform traditional dances and songs at halftime to celebrate the culture of the Ute People, whose name the university and state carry.
Both Utah and its flagship university sit on the historic homeland of the Utes, who call themselves Nuuchu. The Ute Nation once spanned most of Utah, Colorado and northern New Mexico, long before European settlers arrived. Three federally recognized tribes use the Ute name: the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado and Utah and the Ute Indian Tribe—also known as Northern Ute—located on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in northeastern Utah.
The University of Utah has a long and close relationship with the Ute Indian Tribe. In 1972, the university received the tribe’s support to use the name “Utes” in athletics. A Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes the respectful use of the “Utes” name was first signed in 2003 and renewed every five years since. As part of the agreement, the university pledges to provide educational support to the tribe and share its culture with the greater U community.
“The Ute Proud game is an important opportunity for our campus and community to learn about the Northern Ute people, whose homelands we live, work and study upon,” said Samantha Eldridge (Diné), director of the U’s Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement. “Sharing their songs and traditions on such a visible stage honors the living culture of the Nuuchu and strengthens our relationship with the Ute Indian Tribe. It’s a reminder that athletics can serve as a powerful platform for education, respect and cultural pride.”
“We recognize our special responsibility to the Ute Indian Tribe, whose name our school and state proudly share,” added Vice President for Student Affairs Lori McDonald. “We are dedicated to using the Ute name with the utmost respect and reverence.”
The current MOU, renewed in March 2020, ensures the Ute name is used with cultural sensitivity while providing scholarships and educational programs to tribal youth. Athletics Director Mark Harlan emphasized this responsibility at the time of the renewal. “We are honored to continue using the Ute name and we acknowledge the special responsibility our athletes and fans bear to the Ute Indian Tribe,” Harlan said. “Ute history is Utah history.”
This year’s halftime performance marks a special milestone. Along with traditional powwow dancing and the Bear Dance—a practice unique to the Ute people that traditionally celebrates spring’s arrival—performers will present the Ute creation story for the first time.
“The Ute Proud game is a chance for us to come out and share a little piece of who we are with the people,” said Ronee Wopsock, Ute Indian Tribe member and director of its education department. Wopsock coordinated this year’s Ute Proud performance in addition to overseeing several past performances.
“This is our time to really showcase our culture and traditional practices,” echoed Antheeona Appawoo (Northern Ute, Uncompahgre Band), a dancer in Saturday’s performance and a cultural ambassador as this year’s Miss Ute Tribe. “It’s something we look forward to each year.”
To U student Joseph Du Shane-Navanick (Northern Ute, White River Band), the Ute Proud performance gives crucial visibility to Indigenous people.
“This gives an opportunity for Native people to be front and center and show that we’re still here,” said the political science major and law school hopeful, who was chosen to carry the MUSS flag at Saturday’s game. “We are still a part of this society, and our influence and name are still being carried on. My hope is that the celebration and recognition of the Ute Tribe continue beyond the game.”
To learn more about Ute culture, heritage and the history of the region, visit uteproud.utah.edu.