The student will be able to identify the subsistence practices of the Southern Paiutes and analyze the economic and social connections between the different bands of Southern Paiutes in Utah.

Students will become familiar with the Ute Indians both past and present.Enduring Understandings:Who the Ute Indians were and their significance in Utah history.What the Ute culture was like before European expansion.How things are different today for the Ute Indians today compared to the past

This lesson utilizes the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (UIT) tale, “Why Buzzard Is a Loner” to enhance comprehension skills, provide an introduction to the importance of personal hygiene and drama. Although some Native American Indian stories can only be told during the winter time, this story can be told any time of the year. The tale will be read aloud to the students who will then dramatize the story as it is read again. Then students will have a presentation from a health practitioner, school counselor or the school nurse on healthy teeth maintenance (i.e., brushing, flossing, rinsing, etc.)Extensions include learning more about birds in Utah and lessons that give more information about the Ute people. The cultural note states, “Just as the birds in this story held a council meeting to decide how to deal with Buzzard. Ute people, to this day, have council meetings to discuss problems and solutions for their people. At these meetings, everyone has the right to express his or her opinion and be heard and listened to.” 

Listen and respond to a Paiute story.
Explore art making, using chalk or crayons.
Create a project depicting one of the scenes in the book.
This lesson was written in partnership with Dorena Martineau, the Paiute Cultural Resource Director, and was approved by the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s Tribal Council. Before teaching this lesson, please explain to your students that there are many indigenous tribes in the United States and that this lesson Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Seal focuses on the five bands of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and does not represent other Native American groups. It is the hope of the Paiutes that other native tribes will respect their choice to share this aspect of their culture.

In this lesson, students will learn about the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah through a slide show presentation that helps students learn more about traditional vs. current ways of living, learning and governing. Each of these short descriptions help students to better understand that the Paiute people continue to thrive in Utah.Students will also listen to a Paiute Tale which is part of the Native American Indian Literacy Project and be able to use the book as an English Language Arts comprehension activity. The extensions and additional resources help the teacher to be aware of other ways that students can engage.