White Mesa Bear Dance this weekend

by David Boyle
News Director

The annual Ute Mountain Ute Tribe White Mesa Bear Dance is returning to the White Mesa community this weekend starting on Friday, August 30, and concluding on Monday, September 2, The event is open to the public.
Friday starts with the sunrise prayer and blessing at 6 am at the Bear Dance Corral. The Bear Dance celebration begins in earnest at 10 am and runs all day.
Friday will also include a country western dance at the White Mesa Recreation Center from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am with live music provided by the Broken Arrow Band.
On Saturday the festivities continue with the Bear Dance walk at 8 am, it starts and ends at the Bear Dance Ground entrance.
The Bear Dance continues starting at 10 am and continues throughout the day into the night.
A parade will also be held starting at 10 am from South Beaver lane ending at the Bear Dance Grounds.
Saturday events continue with the Strong Warriors 3k obstacle challenge and kids mini obstacle challenge.
The 3k obstacle run starts at 10 am south of the softball fields, with the kids challenge at 11:45 am.
The annual handgame tournament is set to begin at 2:00 pm with registration open from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. A lunch for handgame players will be served at noon.
Saturday events also include the contest pow-wow and gourd dance., with grand entry at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, the gourd dance at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, and Buffalo feed at 5:00 pm.
Saturday evening concludes with a hip-hop show featuring Savage Kyngdom at the Recreation Center from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Sunday festivities include the Bear Dance going all day and into the night starting at 10:00 am.
The Contest Pow-wow and Gourd Dance includes the grand entry at 1:00 pm, Gourd dance at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm
A 3-man handgame tournament will be held Sunday at 1:00 pm with registration from 10:30 am to noon.
Sunday evening concludes with a country western dance from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am at the White Mesa Recreation Center.
The Bear Dance Celebration concludes on Monday with the Bear Dance starting at 10:00 am and concluding at sundown, with a feast next to the pow-wow grounds at noon.
Those seeking more information about the event can call (435) 678-3397 or 678-3685.
This year’s White Mesa Bear Dance chiefs are Jack Cantsee Jr., Tallas Cantsee, Aldean Ketchum, and Eric Wells.