Ute facts for kids

Ute or UTE can mean several different things! It's a word used for a Native American people, a type of vehicle, places, and even a university sports team. Let's explore what "Ute" refers to.

The Ute People: Native Americans of the Great Basin

The Ute people are a group of Native Americans who have lived for a very long time in the western United States. Their traditional lands covered parts of what are now Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. They are known for their rich history and culture.

Ute Tribes Today

Today, the Ute people live on several reservations. These include:

• The Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah. This is the largest Ute reservation.
• The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, with lands in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
• The Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation in Colorado.

The Ute Language

The Ute people speak a language called the Ute dialect. It's part of a larger group of languages known as Colorado River Numic languages. Learning and preserving their language is very important to the Ute people.

Ute: A Type of Vehicle

In Australia and New Zealand, the word Ute is a common term for a certain kind of utility vehicle. It's like a car with a passenger cabin at the front and an open cargo tray or bed at the back. Think of it as a mix between a car and a small pickup truck.

• A famous example is the Holden Ute, which was a popular Australian coupe utility vehicle.

Places Named Ute

You can find places named Ute in the United States, often because of the Ute people who lived there or traveled through those areas.

Ute Places in the United States

• Ute, Iowa: A small city in Monona County, Iowa, located along the Soldier River.
• Ute Mountain, Colorado: A mountain in Colorado.
• Ute Mountain, New Mexico: Another mountain, this one in New Mexico.
• Ute Pass: A mountain pass located west of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Ute in Space

• 634 Ute: This is a minor planet that orbits the Sun. It was discovered in 1907 and named "Ute."

Other Uses of Ute

The word "Ute" also appears in a few other interesting ways:

• Ute (band): An Australian jazz music group.
• Ute (given name): "Ute" is also a popular female given name, especially in Germany.
• Ute (sponge): This refers to a specific type of sponge, part of a scientific group called a genus.
• Utah Utes: This is the nickname for the athletic teams of the University of Utah. Their mascot is a Ute tribal elder, honoring the Ute people.

See also

• Utes (disambiguation)