Logan Library Screens Documentary on Uintah Boarding School

The film explores the history of a boarding school on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a single weathered wooden church pew, evoking the somber history of boarding school systems.
The Logan Library recently screened 'Tuniyay,' a documentary exploring the history of the Uintah Boarding School and the impact of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Logan Library recently hosted a screening of the documentary Tuniyay, which examines the history of the Uintah Boarding School. Directed by Craig Wirth, the film documents the role of various religious organizations in the school's past.

Why it matters

The documentary project was initiated by the Episcopal Diocese of Utah to confront its past involvement with the boarding school system. It seeks to address the lasting generational trauma caused by these institutions.

The Uintah Boarding School opened in 1881 on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. Records show that five distinct religious groups participated in the operation of the facility.

The players

Craig Wirth

Craig Wirth is a filmmaker who served as the writer and director of the documentary Tuniyay.

Episcopal Diocese of Utah

The Episcopal Diocese of Utah is a regional ecclesiastical body that initiated the film project to document its historical role in boarding schools.

The details

The film utilizes personal accounts and historical records to highlight how the Episcopal Church required boarding school students to attend its services. Evidence of the students' presence remains visible today through names carved into the wooden pews of the church.

Timeline

  1. January 1, 1881: The Uintah Boarding School opened in Whiterocks.

  2. October 15, 2026: The documentary Tuniyay was screened at the Logan Library.

Culture Shift

This documentary reflects a growing cultural movement toward institutional transparency and the public accounting of past systemic harms. By examining the legacy of the Uintah Boarding School, the film aligns with broader efforts to reconcile historical religious practices with their modern social impacts.

Community members in Logan have the opportunity to engage with local history and reflect on the broader context of regional boarding school legacies. Attending such screenings allows residents to gain personal insight into the history of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.

The takeaway

Engaging with local historical documentaries helps communities confront the complexities of past institutional actions. Residents can seek out further resources and community dialogues to better understand the lasting effects of history on today's society.

Further reading

Learn more about local historical perspectives in our Latter-Day Saints section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Utah Statesman.

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Should institutions take active responsibility for historical actions of their predecessors that caused widespread harm?