Exploring the Native American Village at This Is The Place Heritage Park
This Salt Lake City cultural spot offers visitors a chance to experience the deep history of Native traditions.
Nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountain Range lies a hidden gem spotlighting Native culture. This Is the Place Heritage Park, near the mouth of Salt Lake City’s Emigration Canyon, is typically known for its information regarding early pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other European settlers (Read: Journey Through Utah’s History at This Is the Place Heritage Park).
Yet in the park’s Native American Village, this heritage site also spotlights the Native peoples who have called the Utah territory home for millennia, long before a wagon wheel rolled through this mountainous desert.
As I researched the authenticity of the Native American exhibits, I learned park officials worked with people from local Tribes to help compile their collection. As a member of the Northwestern Shoshone Tribe, I appreciate the intentional effort park officials have made in seeking out the resources and support of Natives in creating these attractions. I see pieces I appreciate, as well as areas where the Native American exhibits could be expanded. As someone who feels strongly about keeping the Native perspective and history alive, I feel a sense of responsibility to help this type of awareness grow and thrive. (Read: Wintertime Storytelling With Shoshone Tribal Elders)
The Native American Village offers visitors the chance to experience a little bit of what life might have been like for Utah’s Native people in a more traditional sense: In the times prior to the vast shift that took place upon the arrival of colonial populations.
"The Native American Village offers visitors the chance to experience a little bit of what life might have been like for Utah’s Native people in a more traditional sense: in the times prior to the vast shift that took place upon the arrival of colonial populations."
– Michael Gross
Aspects of Native American culture that you can experience include a large replica of a tipi (also sometimes spelled tepee), a male and female hooghan (also often spelled hogan), a shade house, a medicine wheel and a beading station where visitors can make their own basic bracelet or necklace using beads. There is an attendant at the beading station to help you get started on your craft if you have questions.
A display of granite and red rock can be seen along the pathway connecting these areas, representative of the differences in landscape and geographic elements between Northern and Southern Utah. It’s also representative of the Native people from regions throughout the state (Read: Native Nations in Utah).
Landscapes help to shape culture, and the park tries to be inclusive of that. For accessibility and convenience, the park has passenger trains that can transport you around the park, reaching the Native American Village every 10 minutes or so. Walking is nice, but on hot summer days, the train is conveniently available for faster transport.
Exploring Native Structures
The tipi in the Native American Village is a tent-like structure common among North American Plains Tribes. Inside this replica, you’ll see a display of replica artifacts traditionally used by some Native American peoples. However, the real attraction is the series of short videos shown every hour (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The videos are projected upon the walls and ceiling of the tipi, which offer a more immersive experience as they provide brief summaries of the history and culture of Utah’s Native Tribes.
The videos present general information, so if you are looking for a deeper dive into any of these cultures, I suggest seeking out a representative of these tribal Nations and they can direct you on how to learn more. (Read: Get to Know Utah’s Tribes or visit the Utah Division on Indian Affairs’ website.)
Next along the walking trail you’ll notice Diné (or Navajo) hooghans. Hooghans have many uses and associated traditions and much symbolism for the Diné people, which is explained through the signage. In addition to being traditional dwelling places, they also serve as places for ceremony, instruction and medicine. From a Navajo friend, I have learned that both male and female hooghans are used for dwelling and for ceremonies. However, the female hooghan has much more symbolism involved. It’s the only structure used for “changing woman” ceremonies (typically a three-day ceremony marking when a young woman comes-of-age). I was not aware of this difference in Navajo dwellings and found the context interesting.
Next to the hooghans is a smaller shade house structure. Typically built next to hooghans, shade houses were used as summertime living, cooking and working areas, according to Michelle Brown from the Navajo Nation.
In addition to being traditional dwelling places, hooghans also serve as places for ceremony, instruction and medicine
Photo: Dennis Lyman
Whether you're on Tribal lands, in a national park or anywhere outdoors in Utah, it's important to understand that there are strong Native ties to these lands, present and past.
Photo: Dennis Lyman
If you want to learn about Utah Native American culture on your visit to Salt Lake City, This Is the Place Heritage Park is one of the places you can get an experiential overview of the region’s Native peoples (Read: Native Nations in Utah for more Northern Utah and statewide experiences). The displays of the tipi, hooghans and medicine wheel are worthwhile, and if you are also curious about European Pioneer heritage in the state, you can kill two birds with one stone with a visit to the rest of the park.
My other recommendation to learn about Native American culture in Salt Lake City would be the Natural History Museum of Utah, which is conveniently located on the University of Utah campus, and only a five-minute drive from This Is the Place Heritage Park (Read: How to Maximize an Afternoon at the Natural History Museum of Utah). You can make a day of it, and these places may leave you with a grander appreciation for the Native ways of life that are no longer available to witness. A win-win, if you ask me.
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