Red Painted Faces: Exploring Paiute Legends on a School Trip to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon's Native American history is as vibrant and fascinating as the iconic pinnacles and hoodoos that define its stunning landscape. This region has been home to human inhabitants for at least 10,000 years, from the Paleo-Indians and Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) to the Fremont Peoples and, eventually, the Paiute Indians.

Around 1,200 A.D., the semi-nomadic Paiute tribe began hunting and gathering along the Paunsaugunt Plateau, following the departure of the Fremont Peoples. The Paiute were deeply moved by the grandeur of Bryce Canyon’s towering hoodoos. They called the canyon Unka-timpe-wa-wince-pock-ich, translating to "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped recess" or more literally, "red rocks many standing holes."

According to Paiute lore, the mysterious red rock hoodoos that distinguish Bryce Canyon were once "Evil Legend People" (To-when-an-ung-wa) who were transformed into stone by the powerful Coyote spirit. The Paiute referred to these rock formations as Anka-ku-was-a-wits, meaning "red painted faces."

In 1936, a Paiute elder known as Indian Dick, residing on the Kaibab Reservation, shared the Bryce Canyon hoodoo legend with a park ranger:

"Before there were any Indians, the Legend People, To-when-an-ung-wa, lived in that place. There were many of them. They were of many kinds—birds, animals, lizards, and such things, but they looked like people. They were not people. They had the power to make themselves look that way. For some reason, the Legend People in that place were bad; they did something that was not good, perhaps a fight, perhaps some stole something... the tale is not clear at this point. Because they were bad, Coyote turned them all into rocks. You can see them in that place now all turned into rocks; some standing in rows, some sitting down, some holding onto others. You can see their faces, with paint on them just as they were before they became rocks. The name of that place is Angka-ku-wass-a-wits (red painted faces). This is the story the people tell."

Indian Dick’s nephew, Indian Johnnie, later translated Angka-ku-wass-a-wits to mean "red painted faces." Today, an excerpt of this legend is displayed in the Bryce Canyon National Park visitor center.

For students and educators eager to explore the rich cultural history of Bryce Canyon, join Appleseed Expeditions on an unforgettable educational trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon. Dive deep into the stories and legends of the Paiute tribe, and witness firsthand the awe-inspiring landscape that inspired these ancient tales. A school trip to Utah with Appleseed Expeditions offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past while discovering the natural wonders that continue to captivate visitors from around the world.