“Ute was not the original name of this tribe,” fourth-grader Juniper said. “They were first called Núuchi, and it was changed when the Europeans came.”
Juniper is one of 21 fourth-graders at Pagosa Peak Open School who is diving into a project anchored in the history of the Ute people. Through this project, students are able to engage with multiple primary sources such as journals and maps; participate in field work such as a tour of the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum in Ignacio; explore multiple perspectives on historical relationships within Colorado’s past; and learn about the cultural practices of the Ute people. Students celebrate their learning during the all-school project showcase today, Oct. 26.
“We’re now looking at things like the history of frybread, trading routes and art like beadwork and weaving,” fourth-grader Maleko said. “I was surprised to learn that the Europeans took the Utes land, and then gave them only a little of it back,” fourth-grader Henry said. Esperanza chimed in. “They also made boarding schools for the children and factories for the people to work in.” Darla went on to explain more about the boarding schools. “They weren’t schools at all,” she said. “The Ute children had to work there, and live there. They had to cut their hair and wear uniforms and change their names.”
The Ute land borders Pagosa and extends west and south. As a project-based, place-based school, the history and stories of the people close by stand as the backbone of student work. While students have, and share, their own perspectives on their environment, project-based learning allows them to expand and challenge their understandings.
Lupita, Aubrey and Annie explore materials at the Southern Ute Cultural Center in Ignacio.