Uintah and Ouray Indian Agency, Fort Duchesne, Utah

Utah Historical Quarterly, Volume 4, January 1931, Number 1

UINTAH AND OURAY INDIAN AGENCY, FORT DUCHESNE, UTAH

By H. M. Tidwell, Superintendent

The Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation was created by Executive Order dated October 3, 1861. The exact area of the original reservation cannot be stated by this office but the order limits the reservation with the crests of jmountains surrounding the valley of the Uintah which also included the entire Duchesne River system. The Act of May 24, 1888, restored to public domain the land lying east of Range 2 East, S. L. M. to the eastern boundary of the reservation which was probably the Green River. The Act of June 4, 1898 provided for the cession of all lands comprised in the reservation to the United States except lands retained as Indian allotments. This Act also provided for the alloting of lands to the Uintah and Whiteriver Ute Indians and such of the Uncompagre band of Ute Indians who had not obtained allotments elsewhere. At present the reservation is comprised of 2,357,286 acres classed as follows:

FOREST 1,010,000 acres

TOWNSITES 2,100 acres

OPENED TO HOMESTEAD 1,004,285 acres

MINING CLAIMS 2,140 acres

INDIAN ALLOTMENTS 99,406 acres

UNDER RECLAMATION 60,160 acres

GRAZING RESERVE, (INDIAN).... 179,194 acres

The Indian population of the reservation is about 1200 comprised of the Uintah, Uncompagre and Whiteriver Bands of Utes. Of this number, which does not materially increase or decrease from year to year, we have 75 farmers, about 300 school children and 75 engaged in the livestock industry.

Our Indians, except in a few exceptional cases, have adopted the white man's methods and his industrial activities are carried on in the same manner as his white neighbor. He is also not unlike other Americans when seeking entertainment and does not hesitate to take an active part in all American games of skill, horse racing, dancing, etc.

The Uintah Boarding School was established at Whiterocks prior to 1905 and has been in continuous operation since that time. At present the enrollment of Indian children will total about 135 who will attend during the nine months' term. This school is not unlike boarding schools operated for the benefit of white children who are instructed along academic and industrial lines.