Cedar Band of Paiutes

The Cedar Band of Paiutes is one of the five bands of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, currently located in Cedar City, in southwest Utah. They have a total of 257 members enrolled in their Band and have approximately 2,137 acres of reservation land, which runs adjacent to the I-15 corridor about 8 miles south of Cedar City, Utah.

In the early 1950’s, the Cedar Band of Paiutes were not terminated with the other Paiute Bands of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, but suffered de facto termination, which meant they did not receive any services afforded to federally recognized tribes, nor did they receive a reservation land base. In 1970, the band discovered they were eligible for federal services. Eventually, they became part of the 1980 Restoration Act, which restored full recognition to members of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, P.L. 96-228.

Their Paiute name is Suh’dutsing, which means Cedar. The name derives from the Cedar tree, which heavily populated their region. Their language is the numic language, which relates to the Shoshone and Ute Tribes. The Shoshone and Ute Tribes were hunters and gatherers and lived off the land close to water.

The Cedar Band of Paiutes has five elected Council members who serve 4-year terms. They govern and manage the affairs of the Cedar Band. The elders who are 55 years of age and above comprise 8% of the Cedar Band’s population. Approximately 40% of the membership is below the age of 18. Their children attend public schools in the area and they operate an after-school drug elimination program designed to help the youth with tutoring, computer skills and teach children about culture. The after school program also provides field trips, activities and incentives.

Throughout its history, the Cedar Band of Paiutes has made significant community investments, as well as investments into economic development activities.