White Mesa hosts Bear Dance this weeekend

by David Boyle
News Director
The annual Ute Mountain Ute Tribe White Mesa Bear Dance is once again being held in San Juan County starting on Friday, August 29, and concluding on Monday, September 1. A full schedule of events can be found on page A4 in the San Juan Record.
The event is open to the public.
Friday starts with the sunrise prayer and blessing at 6 am at the Bear Dance Corral in White Mesa. 
The Bear Dance chiefs this year include Jack Cantsee Jr, Tallas Cantsee, and Aldean Ketchum.
The Bear Dance celebration begins in earnest at 10 am and runs all day.
Also running Friday through Sunday is the Through the Silence pop-up experience, a pop-up augmented reality experience exploring the Aniknuche Incarceration of 1923.
The event is located at 30 W 100 S in Blanding. Additional information can be found on page A4.
Saturday events include the Bear Dance all day and night starting at 10 am.
The diabetes walk organized by the Sleeping Ute Diabetes Program with registration from 7 to 8 am at the Bear Dance grounds entrance.
The walk begins at 8 am with the start and finish at the grounds. The department will be doing blood sugar checks as part of the event.
Saturday also includes the parade at 10 am starting at South Beaver lane and concluding at the Bear Dance Grounds.
Saturday also includes the handball tournament. Registration opens at 10 am and closes at 12:30 pm with the tournament beginning at 1 pm sharp.
Saturday also includes the contest pow-wow with grand entry at 1 pm and 7 pm.
Saturday evening concludes with a country western dance with the Lightning Rock Country Band from 9 pm to 1 am at the White Mesa Recreation Center.
Sunday events include another full day of the Bear Dance starting at 10 am with the contest pow-wow grand entry at 1 pm.
Sunday also includes the adult and youth horseshoe tournament at the White Mesa Softball Fields at 5 pm.
Sunday evening includes the country western dance with the Bryon Ramone Band playing from 9 pm to 1 am at the White Mesa Recreation Center.
Monday events include one final full day of the Bear Dance starting at 10 am and ending at Sunset. The day also includes a fest at Noon next to the the pow-wow grounds.
All singers are welcome to participate. For more information, call 970-238-0591, 970-238-0624 or 980-238-0625.