Chipeta biography definition

Native American leader

For other uses, see Chipeta (disambiguation).

Chipeta or White Singing Bird (1843 or 1844 – August 9, 1924) was a Native American leader, and the second wife of Chief Ouray of the Uncompahgre Ute tribe.

Born a Kiowa Apache, she was raised by the Utes in what is now Conejos, Colorado. An advisor and confidant of her husband, Chipeta continued as a leader of her people after his death in 1880.

Chipeta biography definition us history

She was an Indian rights advocate and diplomat. She used diplomacy to try to achieve peace with the white settlers in Colorado. In 1985, Chipeta was inducted into Colorado Women's Hall of Fame for her "courage and valor she demonstrated in her efforts to mediate between Native Americans and whites."^[4]

Personal life

Chipeta, also known as "White Singing Bird", was born into the Kiowa Apache tribe in about 1843.^[5] She was adopted and raised by the Uncompahgre Utes in what is now Conejos, Colorado.^[5] She learned their tr