Chipeta wife of Ouray

 Chipeta is the wife of the Ute Chief Ouray.  She was his confidant and adviser.  She was born Kiowa APache but was raised with the Utes in Colorado.  She was always an advocate for peace in negotiations between the Utes and the U.S. government.  She influenced her husband a great deal.  She attended many tribal councils with her husband.  Women were usually not accepted at tribal councils but Chipeta was always welcome.  She also attended a peace conference in Washington D.C.  After the negotiations of 1880 the Uncompahgre Utes were forced to leave Colorado by the U.S. Army.  They had not taken part in the Nathan Meeker affair but were caught up in it anyway.  Ouray passed away before they were forced to move, but Chipeta was forced to Utah.  She felt betrayed by the government.  They had promised her a house like what she had in Colorado with Ouray.  She was given an unfinished home so returned to living in a teepee.  

1880 peace commission to Washington, Chipeta on right next to Ouray.  Carl Schurz is also seated.  This peace commission resulted in the removal of the Tabeguachi/ Uncompahgre Utes and the White River Utes from Colorado.