Team ‘Betty’ from Towaoc, Colo. won first place and the $2,500 payout in the annual Southern Ute Bear Dance Hand Game Tournament, hosted by Mike Santistevan, at the Sky Ute Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall on Saturday, May 23.

Competition was heavy as team ‘Donna’ from Ft. Duchesne, UT (left) were one of eight teams competing for cash prizes. First place went to, Betty; Second place, Soph; Third place, Gilbert; Fourth place Yolanda; and fifth place to B&Y.

Tean 'Betty' in action – they ultimately took first place against team 'Soph'.

Ephrem Dutchie (left) and Keenan Badback partake in hand game.

Participants gathered for an exciting session of one of the oldest games in Indian Country.