Thriving Here and Now

Utah’s Native American Community

The state of Utah is named for the Ute Tribe, and Utah residents live on the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Ute, Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Diné tribes. The strength of Utah’s Tribal and Indigenous communities helps make this state a vibrant place. As Utahns, we are all connected, and can recognize our enduring relationship with our state’s Indigenous peoples, as well as their cultural contributions to our state in the past and into the future. Learn more about Utah’s Native American communities through the resources and celebrations listed below.

Thank you to the Utah Division of Indian Affairs for their ongoing partnership and support in curating this page. 

Image
Thriving Here and Now: Utah’s Native American Community
Utah Division of Indian Affairs as featured in Visit Salt Lake

Supporting Tribal Communities | Utah Division of Indian Affairs

The Utah Division of Indian Affairs is a state division under the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement. The division’s mission is to promote positive intergovernmental relations between the state and Utah’s Native tribes. The division hosts the annual Utah Native American Summit, the state’s premiere event bringing together state and Tribal government leaders, community stakeholders, educators, and community members to learn more about the issues and concerns impacting Utah's Native people.
Learn More
Image

Urban Connections: Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake City

The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, which is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2024, provides accessible, culturally aware healthcare services. The center focuses on providing Urban American Indian and Alaskan Native populations on the Wasatch Front (Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, and Weber counties) behavioral healthcare services, preventive health screenings, and social services.
Learn More
Native American Grass Dancer

Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, photographed at Hale Center Theatre

Powwow Culture | Celebration, Tradition, and Dance

Across generations, powwows have played an integral part in connecting Utah’s Native American community. Regular powwow dances are hosted on college campuses such as at the University of Utah, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and Salt Lake Community College. In addition, community powwows are hosted throughout the year as opportunities for dancers and spectators to honor past and present Native traditions.
Learn More

Additional Resources

For more organizations and resources, see our in depth list.

See Resources
Image

Keep Making Connections: News and Stories

Shoshone Jingle Dancer

Visit Utah: Native Nations in Utah

Image

Honoring Native Sovereignty - Stay Curious, Utah! (NHMU)

Image

Native American Curriculum Initiative (BYU Arts Partnership)

Subscribe to Our Community Newsletter!

Newsletter Sign-Up

Magnify Utah’s Community Pages capture organizations that support communities through resources, connections, and opportunity-building. The information does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement (CCE), Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, or divisions associated with CCE. The intent of this resource is to centralize information, not to endorse. The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs reserves the right to accept or reject any submission or suggestion that does not align with the mission of Magnify Utah.