Fourth grade teachers can now reference a new guide as they teach the history, culture, and present lives of the Ute People.
The resource, Nuu-ciu (pronounced new-chew) Strong, was developed in collaboration with Colorado's Ute Tribes, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Colorado Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne, the Department of Education, History Colorado, Denver Public Library, Denver Art Museum and educators statewide.
The curriculum aligns with Colorado's academic standards and will be reviewed every six years to ensure its integrity.
"Fourth grade is where we begin to teach Colorado history in our schools,” said Georgina Owen, a specialist with the Colorado Department of Education. “And learning about the Ute people of Colorado is a unique part of our history.”
Owen, a Title VI coordinator for the state, added that the guide is an opportunity for students to learn about the state’s indigenous people. Title VI is the Civil Rights Act, which states: "No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
“Colorado has two federally recognized tribes…The Southern Ute tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute tribe,” Owen said. “The guide is written from the perspective of the tribes, so this is an opportunity for Colorado’s fourth grade students to learn about the Ute people from the Ute people.”
Nuu-ciu Strong is made up of 24 lessons about the history, culture and identity of the Colorado Ute.
“Two years ago, the Colorado Department of Education had their very first tribal consultation with our two federally recognized tribes, and this document really began with conversations with our two tribes,” Owen said.
“It’s our mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past,” said Brooke Gladstone, communications manager for History Colorado. “We are enthused to share this with our educators and our classrooms because we know how important it is to really know what has happened in our past.”
The group hopes students will learn more about the importance of the Ute people through history lessons full of tradition.
Resource Guide teaches Ute culture
“It’s very important that our Colorado fourth grade students know that our Ute tribes and our Native Americans are alive and well today and making significant contributions to Colorado,” Owen said.
The department will in January be offering training sessions to Colorado teachers who want to learn how to use the guide.
