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Show 152 Years of Trouble, Years of Hope, 1934-1960 True Ute Movement Termination of the mixed bloods did not end the controversy, however. A group of Ute People, mainly White Rivers and Uintah, began urging that the Business Committee and tribal government be disbanded. This group became known as the "True Utes." They argued that it was not enough to rid the community of the mixed bloods. The community must also be rid of government interference. Rather than spend tribal funds on BIA sponsored projects, the True Utes urged their distribution to individual tribal members. The True Utes were not successful in dismantling the tribal government, but they continued to agitate for change. The group encouraged a revitalization of the Ute ethic of observance of the teachings of the elders and of the responsibility to help out kin and other Ute People. The Tribal Business Committee continued to use tribal funds for projects they hoped would better Ute life. Most of the projects did not earn money but merely consumed funds. The recreation halls, counseling programs, and preschools, however, were hoped to be beneficial as "investments in individuals." In 1956 the five year old policy of awarding tribal funds directly to individuals in per capita payments was ended. For the next three years a system was attempted in which payments were placed in Individual Indian Moneys accounts and administered by tribal and BIA officials instead. Ute People applied for funds to buy appliances, improve homes, or other projects. A BIA official decided whether the request would be granted. Funds were then given not to the tribal member, but directly to the supplier of the goods. This so-called Family Plan allowed for much corruption and resultant unhappiness. And twenty-one percent of the money went for debts involving the Uintah Irrigation Project, tribal assistance, etc. The Family Plan lasted three years. Then the amount of income fell off drastically, although tribal expenditures continued to increase. The True Ute group attempted again to dissolve the tribal government. Several times they tried to gain popular support for their plan. Finally, in June 1960 the True Utes assaulted the tribal |
