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Ouray was Chief of the Tabequache
Ute's (the Blue Sky People).
He was born in 1833 at Taos, N.M. His father was Jicarilla
Apache, his mother was Ute. He was raised near the New
Mexican Spanish settlements, and was well versed in the white
culture, politica and was fluent in Spanish, English and several
Indian languages.
He was well known and feared by rival tribes
as a warrior Chief, but was respected by the whites for his
forbearance to make war on them. He had consolidated the
various Ute tribes under Chief Nevava, under whom he was an
"enforcer" Chief. He was the Chief negotiator for peace with the U.S. Government, later becoming the main Chief. Among the
several treaties negotiated was the Kit Carson Treaty (who was
a close friend of Ouray) of 1862, which was promptly broken
when gold, silver and copper were discovered in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. "physically, he was about five feet, seven
inches tall, stout yet strong. His head was large and he
always wore his hair long and braided to lay on each side of his
chest." Ouray, Chief of the Ute's, by P. David Smith. Ouray died
August 24,1880.
Chipeta was born
about 1859. Ouray married Black Mare, who died
shortly after their son was born. In 1859, Ouray married
Chipeta (White Singing Bird) a Kiowa Apache girl, who was
raised by the Ute's after her parents were killed in a raid.
"Chipeta was beautiful, a tall slender woman with well defined
features. Ouray and Chipeta became inseparably devoted to each other. Throughout their lives, they were constantly
together." Ouray, Chief of the Utes, by P. David Smith. Chipeta was an integral part of Ouray's life as Chief, his advisor
and confidant, and traveled to Washington with him. She was a devout Christian, usually wore a large cross, and was well
known for her beautiful beadwork and basketry. After Ouray died, she continued his work for peace, but was nearly hung
for her efforts at Alamosa, Colorado. The U.S. Government sold her farm home just south of Montrose (now the location of
the Ute Museum), all her furniture and belongings and removed her and the rest of the Utes to desolate country in Utah.
She died in poverty August 16, 1924.
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The costuming for Ouray and Chipeta is
absolutely authentic, copied from museum pieces,
hand beaded and sewn together
with sinew in the same manner as the original clothing. They are constructed from the same white and light colored
buckskin as the original clothing. The pieces in
the museum have discolored and darkened
over time. The light buckskin
of the Utes
was highly coveted by other Indian tribes.
These are 18 inch figuratives. .
Please view close up photos and photos
of the museum clothing below. Enjoy!
Available: $4800.00
Price Includes Shipping
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