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Show 150 Years of Trouble, Years of Hope, 1934-1960 Mineral Leases From 1937 to 1951 the Uintah and Ouray Tribe began receiving money from mineral leases, particularly oil, phosphate, and gilsonite. Two productive oil wells were drilled on reservation land in 1949 and 1950. However, the energy corporations retained control of the means of production. Mineral leases became a major source of income for the People in succeeding years. Mixed Blood People By 1951 more than $2,000,000 had been received by the People in one form or another since 1937. However, only $46,500 was left in the tribal treasury. The money had been spent on land purchases, payment of Uintah Irrigation Project costs, and salaries for employees of new tribal committees and projects. Many poor People were confused and bitter. Some resented sharing tribal money and resources with those who were not full blood Utes. Due to intermarriage with whites, a mixed blood group had become part of the Uintah and Ouray People. Most of these were children of Uintahs. The Uintah had long been in contact with non-Utes. The settlement patterns of their lands had intermingled non-Utes among them very early. They had been less isolated than some other Ute groups. And the Mormon settlers had been encouraged to adopt Indian children and to marry Indian people, including Ute People. As time went on the mixed bloods gained in numbers and in power. They more often took advantage of education, learned to speak English, and had closer ties with the white community. Many broke completely their connections with Ute family members and associated only with whites. There were, however, benefits to those claiming Ute blood. They shared in the payments and annuities made to the tribe. So, many mixed bloods continued their relationship to the tribe. Mixed blood births continued to be registered with the agency. The mixed bloods tended to dominate the political action of the People. They voted enthusiastically for reorganization and the constitution and corporate charter. They tended to dominate the |