UteMiller

=
Ute: Ute, which means "land of the sun" also gave the state of Utah its name. The Ute Indians lived in in bark covered teepee-like huts called wickiups, these were bulkier and less easy to relocate than the teepee, which they later converted to for practical reasons. Ute clothing was made from deerskin and the fur of small animals such as minks and jackrabbits. ======

As it was with many of the American Indian aboriginals, the Ute's religious beliefs were based in nature, with animals serving as the central deities. The Ute believed they were closely related to the bear, and animal which features prominently in Ute mythos. Ute Shamans were believed to be very powerful, and in the Spring, the Ute would gather for the annual Beardance, also known as "Momaqui Mowat", followed in the Summer by the Sundance, which was their most important social and religious ceremony. The Ute were very respectful of the environment, never overexploiting its resources, and they would not hunt for sport, but only for food and clothing. Ute land included hunting grounds, along with places of spiritual importance. The Ute were polygamous, which means the men were allowed to have several wives, this is perhaps the only thing they had in common with the Mormon settlers, with whom the Ute were often in conflict.