Chapter History

CHAPTER HISTORY

Chipeta Chapter, NSDAR, was named in honor of Colorado's famous Indian woman who was born an Apache but raised as a Ute. Chipeta, a maiden of the Tabeguache Tribe, became the second wife of Ouray, Chief of the Confederated Bands of the Ute Indians. Chipeta's name means "white singing bird" and she married Chief Ouray at age 16 in 1859. In 1863, Chipeta and her husband helped create the first treaty of Conejos, Colorado. When her husband died on August 24, 1880, Chipeta took over his leadership and became a great advocate for her people. She was the only woman permitted to sit in council. There is a concrete tepee erected in 1924 over a cold natural spring on the site of Chief Ouray and Chipeta's homestead in Montrose, Colorado.

The Chipeta Chapter, NSDAR, was organized January 21, 1978, in Salida, Colorado.
Many distinguished guests from the State DAR attended the installation.

SPANISH TERRITORY

As our chapter’s location is in an area which was previously Spanish Territory, we would like to highlight contributions from Spain and her subjects that were made to the American Revolution’s cause.