Ute tribal member Cameron Cuch said that while there is a lot of controversy surrounding Native American mascots, he has always seen his tribe’s relationship with the University of Utah as a positive thing. Throughout the years, Cuch has found that the university has been able to maintain a great professional relationship with the Ute tribe.

According to The University of Utah’s website, the university must get approval from the Ute tribe before presenting anything that has to do with the Ute Indians to the public’s eye. The university uses “Ute” as its nickname and “Swoop,” which depicts a red letter ‘U’ with white and red feathers, as its mascot. The mascot represents the red-tailed hawk, which is indigenous to Utah. 

“One of the main things that the Ute tribe wants help with is to explain to our students, fans, alumni, and the public in general who the Utes are,” Fred Esplin, University of Utah Adjunct Associate Professor and liaison to the Ute tribe, said.

“What is a Ute?,” explained that the Utes have allowed the University of Utah’s athletic teams to be called “The Utes” as a sign of respect.

Following many years of utilizing the Ute nickname, Esplin said that the tribe is now featured during University of Utah sporting events, including football.

“They come to one of our football games during the Native American month [of November] and they do a drum circle and dance with one hundred people, young and old,” Esplin said. “Dancing in their tribal wear and performing is something that is very important to them.”

The university’s website explains that the Utes have appointed one tribal member, Cuch, to be a “messenger” between the tribe and the university to assist the school with its campaign.

“You have a sovereign tribal nation and an institution like the University of Utah that come together to form a formal agreement for the use of the name and for there to be educated about the Ute tribe which is part of that agreement,” Cuch said.