Students from Uintah-Ouray Reservation Tell Their Stories

The week of June 6 was a busy one at the Marriott Library. Thirty-three junior high and high school students from the Uintah-Ouray Reservation participated in the University of Utah’s Storytelling Camp. Along with several campus partners, the Marriott Library welcomed students, providing workshops in bookmaking, murals, videography and social media.

Lamona Blackhorse
Person with glasses holding a small notebook in a library with bookshelves.

Lamona Blackhorse made a book in the Book Arts studio and talks about her family and their artwork. Her father and brother paint and her mother does traditional beadwork and jewelry. She and her family also do several native dances, including the Bear Dance.

Young man smiling next to a large poster of himself holding a framed photo.
Nathan poses with a photo of himself holding his brother’s graduation photo.
Nathan Chapoose

Nathan is excited. He’s planning on attending Utah Valley University to complete his general ed coursework and then transfer to the U. He’s interested in studying psychology. “I want to be able to help kids,” Nathan explains. “I know where the pain and hurt comes from, so I have great empathy and I know how to connect with them.”

Nathan will be a first-gen student.

“Walking into StoryFest felt like walking into a community. The event marked the finale of a week of making, sharing, and reflecting on stories: tragedies, comedies, successes, even dreams. The work on display depicted insights and inspired awe, as all participants can attest. In addition to their hard work and artistry, the students also brought passion, and a unique sense of lightheartedness combined with determined optimism. Our work was to make space for those stories to come forward; the students brought the courage and strength to turn their stories into a sharable moment. I am humbled and thankful to them for turning ProtoSpace into a space of community and growth, one with a hopeful vision for the future.”

–  T.J. Ferrill, Assistant Head of Creative Spaces
Two people in matching 'Ute Storytelling Camp 2022' shirts standing before a colorful eye mural.
TJ Ferrill, Assistant Head for Creative Spaces and Martha Macomber, Director of Native American Outreach and Community Engagement for the Office of Undergraduate Studies, pose in front of a mural created by students.
U Partners Who Made It Happen

Office of Undergraduate Studies

J. Willard Marriott Library

American Indian Resource Center

College of Fine Arts

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

School of Medicine Office of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

University Connected Learning & Adobe Creative Commons

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