Ute Indian Pathfinder

Pathfinder #2: Resources on Ute Indians of the Southwest

Scope    back to top

This pathfinder is designed to guide patrons of Delaney and Reed Libraries at Fort Lewis College in beginning their research on resources on Ute Indians of the Southwest. The listed collections are held in the archives at Delaney Library and are available for use in the library only. The compiled list includes collections of various primary source materials, such as manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and microfilm.

The microfilm collections at the Center of Southwest Studies are likely to be the richest source for information pertaining to Utes of the Four Corners region. You are also encouraged to visit the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Museum in Ignacio, CO.

Key Terms    back to top

Key Library of Congress Subject Headings
Ignacio (Colo.)
Indians of North America--Government relations.
Indians of North America--Land tenure.
Southern Ute Indians--History.
Ute Indians--Colorado--History.
Ute Indians--History.
Ute Mountain Indian reservation--History.

Keyword Search Terms
Fort Lewis Indian School
Southern Utes
Towaoc, CO
Ute Mountain Utes

Manuscript Collections (listed alphabetically by title)    back to top

M 211

Fort Lewis Indian School federal records (includes 9 folders of Southern Ute Indian Agency records, 1886-1961 (bulk 1886-1928))

M 040

Helen Sloan Daniels papers (includes 31 folders of Ute printed materials and 1 folder of Ute photos)

M 088 and I 047

Southwest newspapers (includes newspapers from Ignacio, CO listed below)

Title	Date Range	Publication Frequency	Notes	Format
Bayfield Blade	1/1/1960 - 12/27/1963	weekly	Duplicate listing: this title was merged with Ignacio Chieftain to form Ignacio Chieftain and the Bayfield Blade. This period is on the Ignacio Chieftain roll for 1960-1963.	microfilm
The Chieftan	1/7/1971 - 11/16/1973	weekly	Duplicate listing for the Ignacio Chieftain, under which it is filed.	microfilm
The Four Corners Chieftain	7/7/1972 - 11/16/1973	weekly	Duplicate listing for the Ignacio Chieftain, under which it is filed.	microfilm
Four Corners Motorcycle Rally	8/1995 - 8/1997	annually	Only two issues.	print
Ignacio Chieftain	7/21/1910 - 6/30/1972	weekly	Gap after 7/11/1924 until it resumes 5/7/1926; also missing 3/3/1932 through 3/27/1936. Roll #18 includes Bayfield Blade.	microfilm
Ignacio Chieftain	7/1920 - 12/29/1939	weekly	See note for Ignacio Weekly Chieftain.	print
Ignacio Chieftain and the Bayfield Blade	1/1/1960 - 12/31/1963	weekly	Duplicate listing for Ignacio Chieftain. Formed by merger of Bayfield Blade and Ignacio Chieftain.	microfilm
Ignacio Weekly Chieftain	7/21/1910 - 8/17/1973	weekly	Same as Ignacio Chieftain; second set of issues 1915/07/16 - 1920/07/02 is also available in print form. Not complete between 1966-1967; only have one issue from 1973.	print
Southern Ute Drum	4/27/1961 - current	every other week	Newspaper of the Southern Ute Tribe. Many issues are missing; large gaps include 1962-1968, 2004.	print
Southern Ute Drum	1/14/1983 - 7/1/1991	every other week	Newspaper of the Southern Ute Tribe; the years were filmed in reverse chronological order.	microfilm
Weekly Ignacio Chieftain	7/21/1910 - 6/30/1972	weekly	Duplicate listing for the Ignacio Chieftain, under which it is filed.	microfilm

M 113

Ute printed materials (an artificially constructed collection of pamphlets, papers, records, and printed materials about Utes)

Microfilm Collections (listed alphabetically by title) back to top

I 055	American Indian tribes major council meetings Volume: 27 rolls Period of materials: 1914-1971 Content: Includes records of the Ute Mountain Tribal Council (Towaoc, CO), Southern UteTribal Council (Ignacio, CO), Uintah and Ouray Tribal Council (Moab, UT) and joint meetings of these and Northern Ute tribal councils. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. Indians of North America--Tribal government.
I 076	Biographical and historical index of American Indians and persons involved in Indian affairs Creator: U.S. Department of the Interior, Library Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1966 Content: Microfilm from National Archives of an 8 volume catalog published by G. K. Hall (Boston, 1966) listing chiefs, prominent Indians, Indian agents, Bureau of Indian Affairs personnel, events, places of importance, social conditions, and "a biography of the American Indian over the past hundred years. Developed as an in-house quick reference tool. Despite inaccuracies and inconsistencies due to a lack of editing, the student of Indian affairs should find the work useful." (Opportunities for Research, by Robert Delaney, 1972 Feb.) Subject headings: Indians of North America--History. U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs--Biography.
I 044	Dissertations Volume: approx. 50 rolls Content: Includes White Settlements of the Ute Reservation 1880-85 by Georgina Norman (1 roll). Most of the included titles are cataloged in the OPAC. Subject headings: Indians of North America--History. Southwest (U.S.)--History.
I 028	Hayden Survey records (RG 57) Creator: U.S. Geological Survey Volume: 21 rolls Period of materials: 1867-1879 Content: Records of the Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (M623). See also C 004 Hayden Survey maps collection and the book titled Catalogue and Index of the Publications of the Hayden...Surveys. Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.). Scientific expeditions.
I 035	Indian Rights Association papers Creator: Indian Rights Association Volume: 162 rolls Period of materials: 1864-1973 Content: 136 rolls filmed by M.C.A., with printed guide (1975, 233 p., in collection M 129). Also, a less comprehensive earlier filming of 26 rolls: 15 outgoing letterpress copybooks (1886-1901, rolls 1-10), early letters (1868-1886, roll 12), and incoming correspondence (1887-1901, rolls 12-26). Subject headings: Indians of North America--Legal status. Indians of North America--Laws.
I 027	Ives Expedition records (RG 233) Creator: U.S. House of Representatives Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1860 Content: Original Report of the War Department of Lt. J. C. Ives expedition to explore to theColorado River, as reported to U.S. House of Representatives, 36th Congress, 1st session, 5 June 1860. Vols. 1 and 2 (1,083 pages). Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.). Scientific expeditions.
I 038	John Collier papers Creator: Collier, John Volume: 59 rolls Period of materials: 1922-1968 Content: With a printed guide (1 volume, 107 p., in M 129). Microfilmed from the original papers in the Yale University Library. Historical note: Collier (1884-1964) was executive secretary of the American Indian Defense Association from 1923, until he became Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1933. In 1945 he founded the Institute for Ethnic Affairs. He wrote prolificly during his last years, in Taos, NM. Subject headings: Indians of North America. U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
I 032	John Gregory Bourke diaries Creator: Bourke, John Gregory Volume: 10 rolls Period of materials: 1872-1896 Content: Diaries begun when Captain Bourke was aide-de-camp to General Crook. Includes anthropological observations of American Indians in Western and Southwestern U.S. Includes a color sketch (on roll 10). Arrangement is chronological. Subject headings: Indians of North America. Anthropology--Southwest (U.S.).
I 029	King Survey records (RG 57) Creator: U.S. Geological Survey Volume: 3 rolls Period of materials: 1867-1881 Content: Records of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (M622). See also the book titled Catalogue and Index of the Publications of the Hayden, King...Surveys. Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.). Scientific expeditions.
I 039	North American Indians periodicals Volume: 82 rolls Period of materials: 1923-1981 Content: Periodicals by and about Native Americans. Includes a guide (18 p.) in collection M 129. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Periodicals.
I 030	Powell Survey records (RG 57) Creator: U.S. Geological Survey Volume: 10 rolls Period of materials: 1869-1879 Content: Letters received by John Wesley Powell, Director of the Geological and Geographical Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region (M156). The Survey was authorized by a joint resolution of Congress in 1868. See also the book titled Catalogue and Index of the Publications of the Hayden, King, Powell...Surveys. Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.). Scientific expeditions.
I 036	Society of American Indians papers Creator: Society of American Indians Volume: 10 rolls and a 74 page guide Period of materials: 1906-1946 Content: Includes correspondence, archival records, papers, periodicals, and newspaper coverage of the Society of American Indians. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Societies. Indians of North America--Government relations.
I 053	Southern Ute collection Creator: Southern Ute Agency (Ignacio, CO) Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1899 Content: Microcopy of the Center's original letterpress copybook outgoing correspondence, March 5-July 26, 1899. Subject headings: Ute Indians--History. Indians of North America--Records and correspondence.
I 047 and M 088	Southwest newspapers (see listing of Ignacio, CO newspapers listed above)
I 043	Survey of conditions of the Indians in the United States Creator: U.S. Senate Volume: 8 rolls Period of materials: 1928-1943 Content: Senate hearings reports. See two page printed guide in collection M 129. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Economic conditions. Hearings.
I 011	U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs selected records (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Volume: 5 rolls Period of materials: 1881-1939 Content: Includes documents and letters received regarding Ute Indians: White River Utes, Uintah, Ouray Reservation/Agency, Utah. Approximately 8,350 pages per roll. Subject headings:Indians of North America--Government relations. Ute Agency--Records and correspondence--1881-1939.
I 031	U.S. Geological Survey records (RG 57) Creator: U.S. Geological Survey Volume: 29 rolls Period of materials: 1879-1895 Historical note: In 1879, Congress created the USGS, a natural extension of the Hayden, Powell, Wheeler and King surveys. Operating in the western territories, the Survey classified public lands, studied geological structure and natural resources, and issued maps and publications. Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.). Geological surveys.
I 002	U.S. Indian census rolls (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Department of the Interior, Library Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1966 Content: Indian census rolls, 1884-1940 (M595, 692 rolls). Ute census records are on reels 149, 330-334, 544-545, 608-615, and 628 of this National Archives publication). Historical note: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), established in 1947, was the successor to the Office of Indian Affairs, which was created in the War Department in 1824 and transferred to the Department of the Interior at the time of its establishment in 1849. "The BIA is the principal bureau responsible for the administration of federal programs for federally recognized Indian tribes, and for promoting Indian self-determination. In addition, the Bureau has a trust responsibility emanating from treaties and other agreements with Native groups of Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. The Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs administers policy for the BIA. The BIA traditionally has been directed by a Commissioner who was appointed by the President; that position has not been filled since the Assistant Secretary position was established in 1977" (Source: Florida State University Libraries). Subject headings: Indians of North America--Census.
I 015	U.S. Indian treaties (negotiated) documents (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Volume: 10 rolls Period of materials: 1801-1869 Content: Records on microfilm of negotiations of ratified and unratified treaties with various Indian tribes (T494). See printed guide List of Documents Concerning the Negotiation of Ratified Indian Treaties 1801-1869 (1 vol., 175 p.) in collection M 129. Historical note: The U.S. government's negotiation of formal treaties with Native Americans followed a custom established by the British and colonial governments. Until 1871 Senate ratification was required, and had the same force as agreements with any sovereign nation. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Treaties.
I 023	U.S. Interior Department territorial papers (RG 48) Creator: U.S. Department of the Interior Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1861-1888 Content: Territorial documents regarding such topics as movements for separate governments of what became the Four Corners states, including Colorado (M431). Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.)--History. Colorado--History.
I 014	U.S. Indian treaties (ratified) documents (RG 11) Creator: U.S. government Volume: 16 rolls Period of materials: 1722-1869 Content: See printed guide in manuscript collection M 129. Historical note: See printed List of Documents Concerning the Negotiation of Ratified Indian Treaties 1801-1869 (1 vol., 175 pages) in collection M 129. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Treaties.
I 021	U.S. Office of Indian Affairs records (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Office of Indian Affairs Volume: 1409 rolls Period of materials: 1824-1960 Content: Includes letters received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1881 (M234, 962 rolls); register to those letters received 1824-1880 (M18, 126 rolls); letters sent by the Office, 1824-1881 (M21, 166 rolls); procedural issuances of the Office, including: orders and circulars, 1854-1960 (M1121, 17 rolls); special files of the Office, 1807-1904 (M574, 85 rolls); and Office report books, 1838-1885 (M348, 53 rolls). The letters received are a rich source of information on the Government's administration of Indian Affairs; the relations of Indians with white traders, settlers and soldiers; and intertribal relationships. They are useful for the study of such topics as the history of particular tribes; the advance of white settlement, especially west of the Mississippi; Indian economy and culture as affected by white encroachment; and regional and state history in many areas of the U.S. The register of letters received is arranged under five subject headings: annuity goods, centennial exhibition, miscellaneous, schools, and stocks. The special files records relate mainly to claims of claims and investigations of traders for goods they furnished to Indians or the Government; of attorneys for legal fees; of both Indians and whites for losses from depredations; and of Indians for losses resulting from their removal from the Eastern U.S. Also included in the special files are records of investigations of the conduct of employees of the Office of Indian Affairs. See also the inventories/guides for this collection in collection M 129 for more description of contents and history. See also the National Archives' RG 75 inventory that accompanies collection I 011. Historical note: "The Office of Indian Affairs was created in the War Department in 1824 and transferred to the Department of the Interior at the time of its establishment in 1849. It became the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1947" (Source: Florida State University Libraries). Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs--Records and correspondence.
I 064	U.S. Office of Indian Affairs field jurisdictions inspections reports ( RGs 48 and 75) Creator: U.S. Department of the Interior Volume: 60 rolls Period of materials: 1873-1900 Content: See inventory/guide for this collection in collection M 129 for more description of contents and history. See also the National Archives RG 75 inventory that accompanies collection I 011. Ute material is on reel 51. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. U.S. Office of Indian Affairs.
I 056	U.S. Office of the Adjutant General records (RG 94) Creator: U.S. Army, Office of the Adjutant General Volume: 257 rolls Period of materials: 1859-1889 Content: Letters received by the Office (Main Series/ incomplete): F 68-G, 1859 (M567, 1 roll, #601); circa 1861-1870 (M619, 32 rolls, #195-812); Ute material is on reels 73, 95, 395, 401, 513, and 536); circa 1871-1880 (M666, 123 rolls); circa 1881-1889 (M689, 101 rolls); Ute material is on reel 549. Also, General James Wilkinson's order book, December 31, 1796-March 8, 1808 (M654, 3 rolls; rolls #1-2 are 16 mm). Note: The Center does not have a complete set of each of these NARA microfilm publications, only a broad selection. See also the Center's collection I 075 for U.S.Office of the Adjutant General returns from U.S. military posts. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. U.S. Army. Office of the Adjutant General--Records and correspondence.
I 070	U.S. Office of the Adjutant General selected general orders and documents regarding Fort Lewis (RG 94) Creator: U.S. Army, Office of the Adjutant General Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1878-1895 Content: Early official U.S. government records pertaining to Fort Lewis as a military post. Begins with designation of the cantonment established at Pagosa Springs as Camp Lewis in honor of Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Lewis "who lost his life in an engagement with hostile Indians on September 28, 1878, at Famished Woman's Fork, Kansas" (dated October 26, 1878) and ends with War Department turning over the Fort to the Secretary of the Interior on February 16, 1895. Note: Not in strict chronological order. Subject headings: Fort Lewis (Colo.)--History. Military posts--United States--History.
I 013	U.S. Secretary of War letters relating to Indian affairs (RG 75) Creator: U.S. War Department Volume: 10 rolls Period of materials: 1800-1824 Content: Correspondence to and from the Secretary of War pertaining to Indian affairs, prior to establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs: outgoing correspondence, 1800-1824 (M15, 6 rolls, indexed) and incoming correspondence, 1800-1823 (M271, 4 rolls). Historical note: The Secretary of War was responsible for the conduct of the government's relations with Indian tribes until 1824, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs was established within the War Department. In 1849, responsibility transferred to the new Interior Department. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. United States--History.
I 024	U.S. State Department territorial papers (RG 59) Creator: U.S. Department of State Volume: 1 roll Period of materials: 1859-1874 Content: Includes general territorial government records for Colorado (M3). Papers in the Colorado series are indexed. Subject headings: Southwest (U.S.)--History. Colorado--History.
I 065	U.S. Superintendency of Indian Affairs records (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Superintendency of Indian Affairs Volume: 309 rolls Period of materials: 1813-1880 Content: Includes records of the Central Superintendency of Indian Affairs, 1813-1878 (M856, 108 rolls) and regional superintendencies including Southern, 1832-1870 (M640, 22 rolls) and New Mexico,1849-1880 (T21, 30 rolls). Historical note: Indian agents on the reservations reported to these regional superintendents, whose field jurisdiction was under the authority of the central office in Washington D.C. Subject headings: Indians of North America--Government relations. Indian agents--United States--Records and correspondence.
I 020	U.S. Superintendent of Indian Trade records (RG 75) Creator: U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Superintendent of Indian Trade Volume: 7 rolls Period of materials: 1806-1824 Content: Letters received by the Superintendent (T58) and copies of letters sent (M16) to and from factories, purchasing agents and consuls regarding the purchase, transmittal, receipt and storage of goods. See inventory in collection M 129 for more description of contents and history. See also the National Archives' RG 75 inventory that accompanies collection I 011. Historical note: Congress created the Superintendency in 1806 to "purchase and take charge of all goods intended for trade with the Indian nations, and to supervise the operation of Government trading houses." Subject headings: Indians of North America--Trading posts. Trading companies.
I 040	Ute and other Indian records Creator: Smithsonian Institution, Office of Anthropology. Volume: 3 rolls Period of materials:1873-1933 Content: Film of the Bureau's manuscript collection no.753-4525, incomplete. Diverse information collected by John Wesley Powell, et al. on (primarily) Ute Indians, including legends, texts collected in 1902, Ute language vocabulary, letters, papers and accounts. MS #s 753-836 (roll 1) are comparative vocabularies of Native American languages; MS #s 838-4525 (roll 2: incomplete) are various records; MS #3247 (roll 3) is 79 pages of notes of a conversation on September 25, 1874 with Manuelito, "War Chief of the Navajos, Arizona." Subject headings: Ute Indians--History. Indians of North America.

Audio/Visual Collections (listed alphabetically by title) back to top

U 012	Southern Ute oral history collection (includes online digital audio)
P 001 Sect. IV.4	Ute photos in the General photograph collection

More Resources back to top

• Marquette University’s online guide to Catholic related records in the West about Native Americans

• Utah History and Ute History Timeline

• Ute lands report: The Ute relationships to the lands of West Central Colorado: an ethnographic overview prepared for the U.S. Forest Service by the Office of Community Services, August 2004