Ute STEM Project

The Ute STEM Project, a five-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation to explore the connections between Ute Traditional Knowledge and western science, technology, engineering and math (STEM.) At the center of the project were the field work visits in summer 2017, 2018, and 2019. During these field work trips, Ute elders, Ute youth, archaeologists, scientists and History Colorado staff visited historic and cultural sites near Montrose, Colorado and the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. With the permission of tribal elders and all participants, videographer Mara Ferris and evaluator Kate Livingston filmed aspects of the field work, including interviews with elders, youth and others. These longer, rough-cut interviews and footage were edited into nine short videos which were reviewed by tribal representatives from all three Ute tribes in 2018. After tribal approvals, these short videos were included in exhibits at the Ute Indian Museum, History Colorado Center and on the History Colorado

This nine-part video series forms an educational, digital exhibition of the Ute STEM project. Follow along with the young people who participated in the project and learn with them about the history, culture, and traditional knowledge of the Ute of Colorado.

Southern Ute Tribe

Mo’Av AJ Berry
Jace Carmenoros
Jazmin Carmenoros
Elliot Hendren
Nate Hendren
Jeremiah Najar
Cyrus Naranjo
Sarajane Washington
Kalynn Weaver
Alicia “AJ” Nequatewa
Ouray Watts
Lorraine Wing Watts
Caden Pourier
Trajan William Garcia
Alden B. Naranjo
Cassandra Naranjo Atencio
Garrett Briggs
Tim Watts
Latitia Taylor, planning
Deb Pace, assisting
Jacob A. Atencio assisting
Lisa Tsuchiya, assisting

Ute Mountain Tribe

Kateri Bancroft
Leander Collins
Kasity Porambo
Terry Knight, Sr.
Nikki Shurack
Afrem Wall
Tina King-Washington, planning

Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation

Lanie Chapoose
Odis Chapoose
Spencer Chapoose
Vlad Longhair
Betsy Chapoose
MaryLee Longhair
Brock Chapoose
Rainee Chapoose
Brad Longhair
Brooks Perank

History Colorado

C.J. Brafford
Amerson Woodie
Lori Bailey
Liz Cook
Sheila Goff
Shannon Voirol

Dominquez Archaeological Research Group

Carl Conner
Masha Conner
Sally Crum
Kristin Kayaani
Curtis Martin
Richard Ott
Nicky Pham
Sonny Shelton
Jessica Yaquinto

University of Kansas

Dr. Kelly Kindscher
Maggie Riggs, assisting

Great Sand Dunes Natonal Park and Preserve

Fred Bunch

Rio Grande National Forest

Angie Krall
Kent Smith