Timpanog

The Timpanog - also called "Timpanogos," "Utahs" and "Utah Indians" - were a large tribe of Native Americans who historically inhabited a vast portion of Central Utah, in particular the area from Utah Lake eastward to the Uinta Mountains and southwards into Sanpete County. In the past, they have also been referred to as the "Timpiavats", Timpanogots and numerous other names. At the time of the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers, they were one of the principal tribes in Utah, based on population, area covered, and influence. It is difficult to find information about the language they spoke, and thus difficult to classify them, because most communication with them took place in English or Spanish, and many of their leaders spoke multiple native dialects. They have generally been classified as Utes ,however, some words they used do appear to be Shoshone, and thus they were possibly a Shoshonean band. Certainly there were other Shoshone in Utah and some people have said that the Timpanogos were one of the four sub-bands of the Shoshone. Their most famous chief in the past was Chief Walkara, also called Chief Walker and 'Walkara' means Hawk, in Shoshone. The Shoshone and Utes did share a common genetic, cultural and linguistic heritage as part of the Numic branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family. Today, they live on the Uinta Valley Reservation. Currently, they are listed by the Federal government as being part of the Northern Ute Tribe.