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Show Government About 1600 the Ute Tribe was a loose confederation of seven bands. The Southern Utes made up three of the bands: the Mouache, Capote, and the Weeminuche bands. The Ute bands were broken up into small family units, usually just five or six people, for most of the year, so that they could gather food. The older relatives, usually some members of the grandparents' generation, were in control of each household. In the winter, around twenty families came together in winter camps. Camp leaders, or chiefs as they were sometimes called, directed such communal enterprises as camp movements, defense against enemy raids, war parties, and dances. The family units were still in control of things pertaining to the individual. Each band in this loose confederation had its own chief and council. The council, the distinguished elderly men of the various families of the band, advised the chief on all important matters. The chief, who retained his position for life and frequently chose his successor, usually won his place by his exceptional ability. He had to be kind, brave, wise, and liberal. A chief with ability and a powerful personality asserted great control over the people. The unity of the band broke down whenever no man could gain control as chief. Then any man who could get a following of more than his family assumed the title of chief, and the authority was so divided that the council ceased to function. Ute governmental units were, then, the family, the winter camp, and the band; each operated during different seasons of the year. The economic changes brought about by the horse created changes in the government. Since the Utes could range farther on their buffalo hunts, they were more likely to encroach on the territory of hostile tribes; thus skills of warfare became as important as the skills of hunting. The band leader who led the hunts became a military leader as well. So, during the 16th century, seven bands of the Utes went through a period of transformation and consolidation made possible by the horse. From small family groups dominated by the older and more experienced relative in each camp, the Utes were consolidated into larger bands under the control of powerful war leaders. A new coop- |