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Show A.. 2.2 . Cottonwood ( Populus fremontii and Populus angustifolia, Salicaceae): The Ute name is [ sho- av] ( Chamberlin 1909a: 35). Both varieties are reported in use by Ute consultants but P. fremontii is favored for medicinal and ceremonial use. Reported Locations: This tree is common on the flood plain of the Green River and up to 6,500 feet along its tributaries ( Goodrich and Neese 1986: 263). ECOTONE ( 1995: A- 12) lists both varieties in the forest riparian environment on the reservation. This tree is seen and reported along all of the major rivers, canals, and reservoirs on the reservation. Certain groves of cottonwoods are reported to be favored by particular families for gathering wood for ceremonial use. The location of these sites, however, is guarded carefully. Important groves are located near Bullock and Cottonwood Reservoirs ( 4.2), along Uinta River and its canal ( especially important for use at Sun Dance) ( 1.2; 4.1), and along Pole Creek ( 1.2). Ute Medicinal and Ritual Use: According to one consultant ( 1.2; 1.3), the cottonwood is useful for many different kinds of medicinal purposes. Its bark and leaves can heal sores. Another consultant ( 4.2) reports that the cottonwood is considered sacred and used for ceremonial fires in sweat lodges because of its special burning properties. The saplings of the cottonwood are also gathered for use in this and other ceremonies, especially the Sun Dance ( 1.2; 4.2). On the second day of the Sun Dance, women collect the young saplings before the sun rises and wrap them in a cloth or handkerchief to bring to the dancers. The moisture from the leaves " feeds into the dancers," and this has spiritual significance ( 4.2). The spiritual importance of the cottonwood is further verified in ethnographic sources ( Jorgensen 1972: 182, 184, 209, 268; Smith 1974a: 177, 181, 188, 190, 195- 6). The leaves of the cottonwood ( probably P. angustifolia) are also dried and used to wrap tobacco ( 4.2). Other Uses by Utes: According to Taylor, Pete, and Pendelton et al. ( Oral History, American West Center, 1968), cottonwood ash was used to soak hides and remove the hair. Smith ( 1974a: 37) indicated that tipi poles were made from cottonwood. Cottonwood is also a resource traded with other Indians, especially Hopi ( 1.1). Uses by Neighboring Great Basin Populations: The Gosiutes prefer to use the cottonwood over willow for basket work ( Chamberlin 1911: 378). A^ 3...... Kiimil^ Dii] k » .. Bfiar] b> erry ( Arctostaphylos uva- ursi, Ericaceae): Ute names include / kunu- ku= pi/ and also / sapatu= ti/ ( Smith 1974a: 274), which is the word for tobacco. Reported Locations: This shrub is commonly found in the Uinta Basin in the Uinta Mountains amid aspen and conifer communities from 7,000 to 10,000 feet ( Goodrich and Neese 1986: 138). ECOTONE ( 1995: A- 1, A- 8, 48 |
