Utes headed to Bear Dance

Utes headed to Bear Dance

Jan. 13, 2001

(FROMLEFT) ESTELLE HATCH, Kendrell Ketchum, Dell Jackett, and Erica Cuthair, a Ute youth advocate, work Wednesday at the Youth Opportunity Center in Towaoc on making outfits for the upcoming Bear Dance.

Ute Mountain Ute youngsters enrolled in the newly formed Ute Mountain Youth Opportunity Program are preparing for a headline show at the Native Youth Ski weekend set for Jan. 20 and 21 at Durango Mountain Ski Resort.

Thirty Ute Mountain youths will perform traditional Bear dance routines in full cultural regalia for audiences at the resort’s central plaza, beginning each day at 4 p.m. The sessions, this year featuring Ute dances, will last at least one hour.

Prior to the dance, Ute Mountain cultural expert Austin Jacket will give a history of the Bear Dance, a traditional June ceremony celebrating spring and new life.

"It celebrates rejuvenation, a fresh start, just like the bear experiences after waking up from hibernation," said Lisa Manning, a member of the Ute Mountain tribe.

One hundred native youths from the Ute Mountain, Southern Ute and other tribes are expected to participate in the dances. While not preparing for performances, the resort is allowing dancers to ski for free. Native American Olympic skier Russ Anderson will be on hand.