Events

🪶 Native American Heritage Month • November 2026

Celebrating history, culture, and enduring presence of the Ute peoples

The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403, honors Native American Heritage Month every November through permanent and special exhibitions celebrating the history, culture, and enduring presence of the Ute peoples. Visit the Ethnobotany Garden and explore traditional plant knowledge, uses, and deep connections to the local land. Plan time for the Naturescape Playground, an outdoor community space for family engagement.

 

 

𖣰 Veteran Films • November 11, 2026

Please join us for three 60-minute films on Native American Veterans.  Event held at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. Free event.

  • 10 am: Way of the Warrior.
  • Noon: True Whispers: Navajo Code Talkers.
  • 2 pm: The Warrior Tradition – Untold stories of Native American in the U.S. military.

𖣰 Opening Exhibit Veteran-Featured • November 11, 2026

Opening Exhibit 

The new exhibit features a diving helmet worn by Raymond Baker, Chief Warrant Officer, a 30-year retired Veteran, of the U.S. Navy from The Southern Ute Tribe. The exhibit will be on display at The Ute Indian Museum November 2026 - February 2027.

𖣰 Indian School Documentary Film • November 12, 2026

Please join us for the Indian School documentary film: A Survivor's Story. 

The film details some of the many abuses of the American Indian Boarding Schools in the US, taken from testimonies of survivors. The film airs 40 minutes of every hour during 10 am - 3 pm at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. Free event.

𖣰 Wounded Knee Film • November 14, 2026

We Shall Remain is a film on the occupation of Wounded Knee and the emergence of the American Indian Movement. Beginning at 10 am and runs for 90 minutes at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road Montrose, CO 81403. Free event.

𖣰 Beading Loom Class • November 15, 2026

Please join Native American Amerson Woodie (Lakota/Navajo) in making a beaded bracelet on a loom. Event held noon to 2 pm at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. $25.00 Please RSVP to 970-249-3098.

𖣰 Boarding School Films • November 18, 2026

Two films share the moving stories of Native American children in the Indian Boarding Schools.

  • 10 am: Indian Horse. Soul Indian Horse, an Ojibway boy, is torn from his family and committed to a boarding school. He is denied the freedom to speak his language or embrace his heritage.
  • 1 pm: Our Spirits Don’t Speak English. In 1869, the U.S. government enacted a policy of educating Native American children in the ways of Western society. By the late 1960s, more than 100,000 children had been forced to attend Indian Boarding Schools.

The films are at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. Free event.

𖣰 Navajo Rug Exhibit and Sale • November 20, 2026

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program creates a market for the Elder’s art and raises awareness about the needs of the Elders. Proceeds from the sales go directly to the artisans. The exhibit and sale run 9 am to 4 pm at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. Free event.

🧶 San Juan Weavers • November 21, 2026

Celebrating the native weaving traditions and weavers

Please join us at the annual San Juan Weavers Guild Show and Sale on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  This year, it will happen 9 am to 4 pm on November 21, 2026.  The event is held at the Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road Montrose, CO 81403. Plan to visit the museum and the weavers event for a memorable day. Mark your calendars and join us!

https://sanjuanweavers.org/elementor-3277/

History and background of the San Juan Weavers Guild

In 1977, nine fledgling weavers met in Montrose to organize a weavers’ guild.  Their purpose became to exchange ideas and knowledge of weaving and spinning, give demonstrations to community organizations, and find ways of selling their handwoven items.  The membership grew to 23 members that first year.  Today the Guild has over 70 members, who demonstrate weaving and spinning, gather for workshops every year to add to their repertoire of skills, and offer over 1000 items for sale at our annual Show and Sale.

𖣰 100 Years of Silence Exhibit and Presentation • November 22, 2026

100 Years of Silence Exhibit and Presentation by Deena Ute  (Ute Mountain Ute)

100 Years of Silence refers to a Ute Mountain Ute tribe project around the 1923 events often called the “Posey War”, which San Juan County settlers held the (Anlknuche people) Ute in a makeshift prison camp, and federal official shipped their children to boarding schools. This forces us to rethink what we know about the so called “last Indian War” and the resilience of a people who refused to disappear. The event is noon - 1:30 pm at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road Montrose, CO 81403. Free event.

𖣰 We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears Film • November 28, 2026

We Shall Remain Trail of Tears is the impactful telling of when on May 26, 1838 federal troops forced thousands of Cherokee from their homelands. The film airs 1 - 2:30 pm  at The Ute Indian Museum, 17253 Chipeta Road Montrose, CO 81403. Free event.

𖣰 Porcupine Quill Earrings Class • November 29, 2026

Please join Director CJ Brafford (Lakota) in making two pear of beaded and porcupine quill earrings. Event held noon - 2 pm at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. $25.00 Please RSVP to 970-249-3098.

🎁 Holiday Arts Festival and Crafts  • December 5, 2026

Festive Local Holiday Shopping

The Ute Indian Museum Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, 9 am - 3 pm, is held at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, CO 81403. The Festival features local shopping, holiday gifts, and crafts from Native American and area artists. Please come and enjoy fresh fry bread, a silent auction to support the museum, and browsing the museum's gift shop. Free admission to both the holiday event and the museum itself, with no tickets or reservations required.

𖣰 Adult Beading Loom Class • December 6, 2026

Please join Native American Amerson Woodie (Lakota/Navajo) in making a beaded bracelet on a loom. Event held noon to 2 pm at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. $25.00 Please RSVP to 970-249-3098.

𖣰 Kids Holiday Craft Class and Film • December 12, 2026

Kids Holiday Craft Class and Film (Grades 1-5)    

Join us for a fun holiday morning! Students will make a special handmade gift, wrap it up to take home for their parents, and enjoy watching the short film Native American Night Before Christmas. Event at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. The event is 10 am - noon at a cost of $10 per student or $8 for History Colorado and Friends of the Ute Indian Museum Members. RSVP to 970-249-3098.

𖣰 Adult Beading Loom Class • December 13, 2026

Please join Native American Amerson Woodie (Lakota/Navajo) in making a beaded bracelet on a loom. Event held noon to 2 pm at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. $25.00 Please RSVP to 970-249-3098.

𖣰 Kids Holiday Craft Class and Film • December 19, 2026

Kids Holiday Craft Class (Ages 12 to 17 or Grades 6 to 12)

Join us for a fun holiday morning! Students will make a pine needle and wood ornament. They will learn traditional pine needle weaving and customize it with beads and painted designs. Event at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. The event is 10 am to 12:30 pm at a cost of $10 per student or $8 for History Colorado and Friends of the Ute Indian Museum Members. RSVP to 970-249-3098.

𖣰 Kids Holiday Craft Class and Film • December 28 to 30, 2026

Winter Hands-On History Camp, Grades 1-6! 

Bundle up and join us on a winter adventure to investigate how the Ute people lived during the colder months through hands-on activities and exploration!

Event at the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. The event is daily, daily December 28 to 30, 2026, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at a cost of $150 per student, up to a total of 70% off tuition assistance available upon registration, 70% for Enrolled Tribal Members and 1st Descendants, and 10% for Friends of The Ute Indian Museum. Register Today at h-co.org/WinterCamp

For information, contact Kellie Carroll at kellie.carroll@state.co.us or call 970-249-3098.

🌿 Community Day • Signature Event • June 2027

Celebrating culture, history, and community

Each spring, the Ute Indian Museum welcomes the community for a day of hands-on activities, demonstrations, and family-friendly experiences. Friends of the Ute Indian Museum volunteers help welcome guests, assist with activities, and support the Museum staff to make this annual celebration a success. Event held at The Indian Museum Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, 10 am - 3 pm, is held at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, CO 81403.

 

🎨 Annual Chipeta Art Show • June 2027

Art that gives back

The annual Chipeta Art Show features original artwork by Friends member artists inspired by the landscapes, history, and cultures of the American West. Best of all, 20% of every artwork sold is donated to Friends of the Ute Indian Museum, directly supporting Museum programs, exhibits, and special projects.

 

🪶 Annual Pow Wow • October 16 and 17, 2026

Honoring tradition and community

Each October, Friends of the Ute Indian Museum (FUIM) proudly participates in the Museum's annual Pow Wow by operating a concession booth. Every purchase of popcorn or a cold drink helps support the Museum while allowing Friends to connect with visitors from across the region during this vibrant cultural celebration.

The 3rd Annual Uncompahgre Pow Wow in Montrose, Colorado, takes place on October 16 and 17, 2026, at the Montrose County Event Center located at 1036 N 7th Street, Montrose, Colorado. Co-hosted by the Western Slope Native American Resource Center (WSNARC) and the Ute Indian Museum , the event features traditional song, dance, and regalia competitions.

𖣰 Fall Rummage Sale • October 24, 2026

The 2026 Fall Rummage Sale takes place 9 am - 3 pm inside the Ute Indian Museum at 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose, Colorado 81403. Free event.

❤️ Become Part of the Tradition

The Friends of the Ute Indian Museum is powered by volunteers, members, donors, and community supporters. Whether you attend an event, purchase artwork, volunteer your time, or become a member, your support helps preserve and share the history, culture, and traditions of the Ute people for future generations.

We invite you to join us—we are making a lasting difference together.

Join Today. Visit Often. Make a Difference.