Ute Tribe reclaims name

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When the University of Utah adopted the sports name "Running Utes" in 1972, school fathers did so on the basis of an understanding with the Ute Tribe. Now, however, both the tribe and the university want to develop a formal relationship regarding the extremely successful athletics department's nickname.

"We got contacted by Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado," said Larry Blackhair, a tribal councilor on the Ute Tribe Business Committee, the tribe's governing body. "They made what we felt was a great gesture: they offered Ute Tribe members five scholarships. We just asked the university by letter if they'd be willing to do that, as well."

Tribal higher education director Adam Martinez asked the university to create additional scholarships for Ute students attending the U of U "because the university was using the Ute name."

Blackhair is, himself, an alumnus of the University of Utah. He represents the White River Band on the Ute council. He and the council feel that the 1972 arrangement was not adequately handled, and that the tribe and the university are paying for it now.

"It wasn't an agreement," Blackhair said. "Actually, it was an understanding. There was no formal agreement. (The university) just asked and we said 'cool'. I guess in hindsight, that shouldn't have been done."

"We don't want to continue using the name, if you feel we use it without sensitivity," said Arthur Smith, the university's president. "I mean that from the heart."

"If the use of the Ute name offends you," he told the tribe at a meeting in February, " no amount of money will change that. We can't buy you off." Smith and other university officials want the two issues-the Running Ute name and additional access to higher education for Ute students-to be considered separately.

"We met with Arthur Smith and talked to him," said Blackhair. "We addressed some of the comments made by other members of the university. He was more than receptive and very professional in his approach.

"The University of Utah has a long, close connection with the Ute Tribe," he continued. "So, from our perspective, we didn't see that this (request) is out of bounds based on our relationship. It was just a simple request."

Blackhair stressed that he did not want the discussions between the Ute Tribe and the university to degenerate, and added that the tribe is prepared to work with the university and to deal with issues separately, as requested.

"President Smith offered to change the university's name", Blackhair said, "but we said that wouldn't be necessary. Just treat it with respect."

There have been concerns that the name has led to stereotyping and disrespectful behavior by some students, but the university administration has worked to show sensitivity in this issue. In 1992, the Running Utes eliminated their cheerleader "the Crimson Warrior," although he'd been OK'd by the Ute Tribe leaders in 1985.

The name comes close to violating the national Congress of American Indians' 1993 resolution on logos and names, which calls "for the abolition of Indian nicknames, mascots and images, and commercial use of these by sporting industries, colleges, universities and automobile manufacturers."

Blackhair said that the Ute Tribe would like to see these issues settled in such a way that the university is satisfied, and that the tribe retains an effective method to monitor the proper use of the tribe's name.

He has been concerned with media reports on the issue that have created controversy.

"Let's change the format of reports on this away from confrontation between the tribe and the U," he said. "There is none."

Blackhair is upbeat about the possibilities.

"Hey," he said, "let's work with the university. We're working with them, and they're working with us. That's the way it should be."