Written on the Land exhibition

Core Exhibition

Written on the Land

Ute Voices, Ute History

Hear the story of Colorado’s longest continuous residents, told in their own voices.

Take a journey to iconic Colorado places the Ute people call home. You’ll see traditional arts, gorgeous photography, and contemporary video showing how Ute people have adapted and persevered through the centuries. Witness the tragic loss of Ute homelands and see efforts to keep Ute culture and language alive today.

Member Tickets (Free) →
Non-member Tickets ($14) →
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photo of youth at Southern Ute event
Chipeta's dress
Chief Severo Ute family
Headdress Southern Ute tribe
photo of Southern Ute veteran at Walk of the Warriors event
Ute beaded pouch

Written on the Land features more than 200 artifacts from History Colorado’s world-class collection, including Ute beadwork, clothing, basketry, and contemporary craft. See colorful beadwork that adorned dresses, moccasins, bags, and jewelry, along with the willow baskets, stone tools, and wooden saddles historic Ute people used as they moved through the Rocky Mountains with the seasons. Hear elders tell the traditional story of the Bear Dance and see beaded gloves, fringed shawls, and carved instruments used in the Bear Dance today.  

Written on the Land is told from the perspectives and in the voices of today’s Ute people. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation provided insights every step of the way to bring this exhibit to the public.

Photo credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley, The Southern Ute Drum

Our crowdfunding campaign for this exhibit is over, but you can still support our ongoing consultation work with tribes by becoming a member!

“We didn’t get wiped out, we didn’t move away, we’re still here and we will still be here.”

- Terry Knight, Elder, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Location

Tickets Free with museum admission

Special thanks to our generous supporters:

Walter C. and Jaynn M. Emery and Family

National Science Foundation

 

Abarca Family Foundation

Clayton and Christine Powers

Virginia J. Powers Fund


Union Pacific Foundation

Ed Ellis and Barbara Neal

 

Thank you to those who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign!

Aaron Dobish
Adela Volpe
Alfonse Mattarelliano
Amber DiMuro
Angela Cavazos
Ann Townley
Anne M Butler
April Legg
Art Tonelli
Arthur Infante
Ashley Whitehead
Atrium Cash Box
Barbara Burch
Bill and Mavis Kacena
Blair & Chris Miller
Bob Hanrahan
Breck Swords
Brittany Leffel
Brooke Gladstone
Carol Mackell
Carrie Swartz
Cathey and Richard Finlon
Cathy Carpenter Dea
Chelsea Eversmann
Chelsea Parraga
Cheri Jones
Cheyenne Johnson
Chris Balestracci
Chuck Walcher
Cindy Parmenter
Clayton and Christine Powers
Dad and Mama Suzie
Daniel Szajna
Dannielle Stewart
Dawn DiPrince
Denise Regan
Dennis & Chelsea
Dennis Flynn
Diana Doyle
Diane Fuchs
Dianne Brown
Dick & Carol Enslow
Donna Lynne
Doug & Mary Wylie
Dr. Holly Norton
Dylan Souza
Elisa Phelps
Elizabeth Migel
Ellen Sloan
Emily Dobish
Gary
Geoffrey Acton
Gerry Culver
Grammy and Pops
Grant Stevens
Hannah Tyler
Helen Kaupang
Helga LaFollette
Jami Maselli
Jan and Paul
Jason Hanson
Jeff Hanrahan
Jessica Bauer
Jessica Pierce
Jim and Diane
John and Deb Mitchell
John Galston
John Rose
Josh Taherkhani
Judy Durzo
Judy McMenamin
Julie Evans
Julie Peterson
Kacena Merrell Family
Katelyn Janosch
Katie and Zach Wolfson
Katie March
Kay Stafford
Keith and Maureen
Keith Valdez
Kelly McCloskey
Kelly Williams
Kelsey Voskamp
Kevin and Suzanne Mulligan
Kimberly Kronwall
Kristi Roberts
Kyndall Voskamp
Laura Grant
Leander Toledo
Linda Sand
Linda Sepko
Lisa Steffen
Liz Cook
Lizabeth Barnett
Maggie Lea
Mallory Hoobler
Margaret Conable
Margaret Stookesberry
Margot Sharapova
Marissa Volpe
Mark Rodman
Mark Ronay
Mary Lee Pitts
Mary Melia
MaryBeth Osburn
Matthew, Lori, Chloe, & Zara Bailey
Megan and Jon
Michelle Fuller
Mike and Sally Metcalf
Naruto Uzumaki
Nellie Stagg
Nicoli Bowley
Pat and Kevin
Patty and Skip Buechner
Paul Huttenhower
Pearson Family
Phil and Julie Lohre
Richard H. Hill
Robert and Myra Rich
Rose Chenoweth
Rosemary Loehr
Sandy & John Nance
Selena Connealy
Shanea Ewing
Shannon Haltiwanger & James Pagenkopf
Shannon Voirol
Stephanie Kurze
Stephanie Scoville
Stephen Sturm
Steve Longsdorf
Steve Turner and Steve Kick
Stewart / Husband
Susan Pitts
Tamra J. Ward
The Garcia Family
The Gerela Family
Tom A Heissenbuttel
Tom and Tami Coyle
Vanessa Smucny
Vickie Davis
Virginia Crofoot
William Scott
Zachie Bear