https://original.newsbreak.com...protect-sacred-lands



Ute Indian Tribe Terminates Nontribal Permits to Protect Sacred Lands


2 hours ago
AI was utilized in the writing of this article.

Jimmy Dean
February 6 , 2024


In a decisive action addressing a growing concern over the misuse and disrespect of their land, the Ute Indian Tribe of Utah has terminated all nontribal hunting, fishing, and recreation permits on their lands. This move, announced by the tribe's governing Business Committee in January 2024, comes as a response to repeated violations by nonmembers, including littering, unauthorized use of ATVs, and trespassing on restricted areas.

Chairman Julius T. Murray III highlighted the core issue as a disregard for tribal sovereignty and the rules governing the use of Ute lands. The Uintah and Ouray Reservation, sprawling over 4.5 million acres in northeastern Utah, has been subjected to what the tribe views as acts of lawlessness by outsiders. This has prompted a reevaluation of the tribe's policy towards granting access to its lands for recreational purposes.

The tribe's decision to suspend permits is a rare and significant measure intended to safeguard the integrity and sanctity of their lands. It underscores the importance of respecting tribal jurisdictions and the sovereignty of Native American lands, which are often overlooked or violated by those seeking to exploit these areas for personal recreation.

The implications of this decision are profound, not only for the immediate cessation of hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities by nonmembers but also for the broader conversation around indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. The Ute Tribe's action serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles many indigenous communities face in protecting their lands from external pressures and disrespect.

This scenario also highlights the challenges indigenous tribes encounter in enforcing their laws and regulations, especially in matters involving nonmembers. The case mentioned by Chairman Murray, where a Ute Fish and Wildlife officer was federally indicted after an altercation with nonmembers violating tribal rules, illustrates the complex interplay between tribal, state, and federal jurisdictions.

As the Ute Tribe moves forward with this moratorium on nonmember permits, the situation calls for a deeper reflection on the relationship between indigenous communities and the wider public. It demands a greater awareness and respect for tribal laws and sovereignty, emphasizing the need for responsible and respectful engagement with indigenous lands.

This incident may also prompt discussions and actions among other tribes and indigenous communities facing similar challenges, potentially leading to broader changes in how tribal lands are accessed and utilized by nonmembers. The Ute Tribe's stance could serve as a catalyst for greater protection of indigenous lands across the United States, reinforcing the principle that access to these lands is a privilege that must be exercised with respect and adherence to tribal regulations.



Sources:

Personal communication with Chairman Julius T. Murray III and coverage in The Salt Lake Tribune.
The Salt Lake Tribune, "Ute Tribe makes rare move to terminate all nontribal hunting, fishing permits after ‘disrespectful violations’ from outsiders," February 6, 2024.
Interviews and statements from Ute Indian Tribe officials and documentation on the tribe's decision-making process regarding nonmember permits.

https://indianz.com/News/wp-co.../01/24/ute012424.pdf


Link to news release.

I can't blame them. Slobs never seem to get it.
That said, I have never seen residential land as disrespected as I have on reservations/rancherias. I have never understood the disconnect between what I believe to be a genuine and profound reverence for the broad landscapes of their ancestors and choosing to live in squalor. This is not the case on all reservations, but it is on some.

And what do they do when they discover that a lot of the bad behavior is by tribal members?

Some of the most disrespectful behavior I have seen is by tribal members.

I get the not wanting littering and damaging the land. Certainly some of their visitors have misbehaved.

Bill and Doc, you guys are right
On rez all have ever seen is pretty much just tribal members not caring about environment
All I ever saw was I want it all and I want it now behavior
Absolute mayhem drug and alcohol problem among young ones and you can go on and on and on
Sad stay of affairs on rez and pretty much every problem is blamed on. White people
It’s like a different planet at times

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
And what do they do when they discover that a lot of the bad behavior is by tribal members?

Some of the most disrespectful behavior I have seen is by tribal members.

I get the not wanting littering and damaging the land. Certainly some of their visitors have misbehaved.

I live near and worked on 5 different Reservations.

The amount of trash the tribal members leave around is amazing.

There is a stark different between the road sides off the Res and on the Res.

There is a stark different between what is laying around and piled in the yards off the Res and on the Res.

P Dog hit the nail on the head. Sacred land my ass. World class litterers.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I can't blame them. Slobs never seem to get it.
That said, I have never seen residential land as disrespected as I have on reservations/rancherias. I have never understood the disconnect between what I believe to be a genuine and profound reverence for the broad landscapes of their ancestors and choosing to live in squalor. This is not the case on all reservations, but it is on some.

Sadly, this is a choice to live that way. Hard to take any people who do that serious for claims their problems are coming from other people.

It's not confined to rez's either. Local small rural towns where I live are filled with shitbirds and nothing is done despite their communities having ordinances against the trash and junk build up. Disgusting.

They aren't banning people from their neighborhood. They are banning them from the back country. ATVs and UTVs here in Utah are a real problem, not only on the Tribal lands, but also on the Federal and State lands.

Far too often many recreationists don't respect the Tribal lands because-- well because they are Tribal lands and some people are simply bigots. Bigots don't respect those they consider lower than them. The Tribal lands in the article have really neat places and they do get abused by non-tribal members. Now in no way am I saying the tribal members are perfect or that they don't litter or cause issues.

If I decide to throw out a bottle on my ranch or drive cross country in a UTV then that is my business. If I invite a guest on, ask ask them not to do such things and then they break the rules, they won't be invited back. I hope they will allow us back on soon, I'll miss it.

so they didn't stop their 15-K Elk hunts then?

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
I can't blame them. Slobs never seem to get it.
That said, I have never seen residential land as disrespected as I have on reservations/rancherias. I have never understood the disconnect between what I believe to be a genuine and profound reverence for the broad landscapes of their ancestors and choosing to live in squalor. This is not the case on all reservations, but it is on some.

Bill, please let me know if you find a reservation that isn't a shithole.

Even in Australia Aboriginal townships are as fucked up as a soup sanchwich.

quote:

I have never understood the disconnect between what I believe to be a genuine and profound reverence for the broad landscapes of their ancestors and choosing to live in squalor.

Made up white man Bull Sh't.

They raped, pillage and plundered when ever they could.

It is just that before they had modern means.

They did not have the ability to do it on a wide scale.

Think of the buffalos jumps. Dozens if not hundreds of buff driven off a cliff.

No steel knifes, no refrigeration, I would bet 90 percent rotted before they could use it.