The term "Ute" can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some possible meanings:
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Ute people: The Ute people are a Native American tribe that historically inhabited a large area including most of Utah, western and central Colorado, and south into the San Juan River watershed of New Mexico. They were skilled warriors who specialized in horse-mounted combat and traded with other tribes for woven blankets.
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Ute language: The language of the Utes is Shoshonean, a dialect of the Uto-Aztecan language. It is believed that the people who speak Shoshonean separated from other Ute-Aztecan speaking groups, such as the Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone Bannock, Comanche, Chemehuevi and some tribes in California.
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Ute sports teams: The University of Utah athletics teams are known as the "Utes" in honor of the American Indian tribe for which the state of Utah is named.
In summary, "Ute" can refer to a Native American tribe, a language, or a sports team.
