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MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2003

The five bands of Utah's Paiute Tribe were restored on April 3, 1980, after a long battle with the federal government.

Late 1800s efforts to force Paiute ancestors to two reservations failed. So the U.S. created separate reservations for the five bands, only to terminate them all in 1954.

In between termination and restoration, the tribe suffered an identity loss. Many young Paiutes were taken from their homes and elders died. At one point, the tribe was losing three members for every new one.

"We had to depend on our grandmas, but we don't have any more grandmas," Cyndi Charles, chairwoman of the Koosharem Band, told The Salt Lake Tribune. "I don't have anyone else to send my son to."

Today, the tribe has reversed the losses and numbers a little over 800. The bands are individually pursuing economic development, infrastructure and other projects.

Get the Story:
Paiutes are Developing Their Land and Rediscovering Their Heritage (The Salt Lake Tribune 4/21)