Our Causes

Young people in the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe are facing the extinction of their language, their traditional ways, and their cultural values. A new charter school on the Reservation, Kwiyagat Community Academy (KCA), with support from Trees, Water & People, is turning that around. Curriculum at KCA is delivered through the lens of Ute culture. The goal is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the local elders and to teach the cultural value of plants to K-5 youth. With the continued development of a Ute ethnobotany garden and traditional vegetable garden, associated outdoor learning curriculum that incorporates literacy, numeracy, social studies and science, and community celebrations that engage Tribal elders and the youth, students at KCA learn their language and the traditional values of stewardship.