Forrest S Cuch

Forrest S. Cuch was born in 1951 and raised on the Uintah and Ouray Ute Indian Reservation in northeastern Utah. He graduated from Westminster College with a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral sciences in 1973. Forrest served as education director for the Ute Indian Tribe from 1973 to 1988. He was later employed by the Wampanoag Tribe in Gay Head, Massachusetts, as a planner and tribal administrator. He became the director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs in 1997. He was a trustee representing American Indians on the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Forrest also played a key role in the PBS/KUED sponsored curriculum project called “We Shall Remain,” which features a video series of the histories of the Utah tribes with accompanying materials. In 2012, he served as CEO for the Ute Tribe’s business enterprises and is a co-founder of Rising American Indian Nations (RAIN), an Indian operated nonprofit organization established to empower American Indian people. His published works include A History of Utah’s American Indians and A Native Way of Giving.

If I could have lunch with any:
Native American historical figure, it would be a toss-up between the great Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, and War Chief Wakara or Wookaroo.
Don’t get me started on Utah politics!

For my money, the best Western (movie)
is Dances With Wolves.

I wish White folk understood
that Native people are human beings too.

History has taught me
that most folks do not know their history.

The dumbest thing I ever did
was drink like a fish.

The best way to find the truth
is to do the research!

What most people don’t know about the Utes
is they were one of the first tribes (our Southern Colorado cousins)
to acquire the horse from the Spanish.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand
it’s ignorance.

I wish I had a dollar every time
someone asked me what’s a Ute?

My favorite Native American actor
is Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman.

If I were president
I would surround myself with smart people.

The funniest thing I ever saw
was two guys on two different occasions passed out drinking and the women folk ratted their hair and painted their faces with lipstick.
You got to be careful when you drink around Native women, ha!

As a child
I was always on the go.

A perfect day for me
would include catching some fish for once on a beautiful day!

The best book for my money
is 1493 by Charles C. Mann.

I absolutely hate
racism

My pet peeve
is lecturing and drinking coffee. Start finish.