Before there were any people anywhere, the Creator, "Sinawaf", cut sticks and placed them in a large sack. After many days, this aroused the curiosity of the coyote. When Sinewaf was away, the coyote could no longer control himself and opened the sack.
Out came many people who scattered in all directions. Each spoke a difference language from the others. When Sinewaf returned, there were only a few people remaining in the sack. He was furious with the coyote, as he had planned to distribute the people equally in various parts of the land. As there could now be no such equity, there would be wars among the different people, who would fight for the best locations.
Of the small group left in the sack, Sinawaf called them Ute or Nuche, which meant "the people". They would be a very brave and strong tribe.
Article by Jan Petite, Utes, The Mountain People, from an account from the Northern Ute reservations Headquarters at Ft. Duquene in Utah.