Native American Village

The Native American Village celebrates Utah’s heritage before and after the arrival of white settlers in the Valley. They are a prominent part of Utah’s history.

The Shoshone lived in the mountains west and southwest of the Great Salt Lake and dwelled in tee-pees. The shape of the teepee is to remind us of our ties to nature, and to remember our spirituality. In the quiet circle inside the teepee, guests learn about the culture and traditions of the Shoshone people.

The Navajo are known for their beautiful jewelry of polished silver and turquoise stone and for hand-woven rugs the color of their desert home. The domed female Hogan is used for ceremonial purposes with the door always facing east to welcome the sunrise. The Male Hogan or forked stick Hogan is considered a sacred dwelling, a gift from the Holy People. Today guests learn of the native heritage through the telling of traditional stories, making native crafts and learning their cultural heritage and history through multi-media presentations in the large Teepee.