"Once again, we are seeing a conflict between reverence and revenue, sanctity and symbol.

At issue is the University of Utah’s use of a graphic artist’s depiction of the Ute Tribe’s drum-and-feather symbol on its football helmets, athletic uniforms and fan paraphernalia.

Tribal members consider the drum and feather sacred symbols — the drum the heartbeat of Mother Earth and its people, the feather representing daylight and darkness, summer and winter. Entwined, they are a message to the spirits above.

And, after years of use, the U.’s symbol — most recently known as the "circle and feather" — has again created a rift between the eastern Utah tribe and university officials over the rewards each expected when they agreed to work together."

Get the Story:
Peg McEntee: U. needs to offer more aid to real Utes and other tribal members (The Salt Lake Tribune 2/19)

Also Today:
Is it time for Utah’s drum and feather logo to go? (The Salt Lake Tribune 2/17)