Ute Mtn. Ute hosts Bear Dance Powwow

Friday - June 16, 2023 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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Members of the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute tribes serve as Color Guard during the Saturday evening Grand Entry on Saturday, June 3. Pictured left right, Gordon Hammond (USMC), Kara Whiteskunk, Rudley Weaver (Navy), Jeffery Whiteskunk (Army), Kendreth Wall (Army) and Raymond Curley (USMC), Willard Light (Army).
Southern Ute Royalty, Malenia Carel, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel, Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Cyana Whiteskunk, Little Miss Southern Ute, and Henry Whiteskunk II, Southern Ute Brave prior to the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Powwow.
Master of Ceremonies Dano Clark and Bear Dance Chief Mark Wing prepare for the evening’s grand entry of the Ute Mountain Ute Beardance Powwow.
Color Guard prior to the Saturday evening Grand Entry on Saturday, June 3. Pictured left right, Gordon Hammond (USMC), Kara Whiteskunk, Rudley Weaver (Navy), Jeffery Whiteskunk (Army), Kendreth Wall (Army) and Raymond Curley (USMC), Willard Light (Army).
Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel assists sister, Southern Ute Royalty, Malenia Carel with her crown prior to the Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Powwow evening's Grand Entry
Basking in the evening glow, incoming Ute Mountain Ute Royalty, Jazlynn Jacket, Little Miss Ute Mountain Ute, Pauchun Collins, Jr. Miss Ute Mountain Ute, and Alyiah Jacket, Miss Southern Ute – serving as head staff for the evening, led other royalty members from various tribes, including the Southern Ute Royalty and Navajo Nation Royalty into the Ute Mountain Ute powwow arbor for the Saturday evening Grand Entry.
Southern Ute Veteran, Rudley Weaver (Navy) holds the Southern Ute tribal flag during Grand Entry with other Ute Mountain Ute veterans of the color guard. Seen behind Weaver are Ute Mountain and Southern Ute royalty members.
Tiny Tots kick up their feet during one of the inter-tribals. Tiny Tots were scheduled to have a separate Grand Entry that did not come to fruition, but the tiny tots were out in force throughout the two-day powwow.
Southern Ute Powwow Committee member, Valerie Armstrong, volunteer Takoda Armstrong and Powwow Committee Secretary, Rochelle Aguilar were on hand at the two-day powwow, selling Núuchiu Strong T-shirts. They were also at the gourd dance on Saturday, June 3 – selling over 50 t-shirts in Towaoc over the weekend. The committee still have t-shirts for sale at $10, if interested contact Rochelle Aguilar, Powwow Committee Secretary at 970-563-2990 or Edward Box III, Powwow Committee Chairman at 970-422-2654.
A men’s traditional dancer gets down during one of the contests held during the Saturday evening session.
A men’s grass dancer doing what he does best during the men’s grass dance contest.
A young fancy shawl dancer, moves to the beat of the drum and the song during one of the Inter-tribal dances.
Traditional women dancers compete in their respective categories.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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The two-day Ute Mountain Ute Bear Dance Powwow, hosted by the Ute Mountain Ute Royalty Committee, was held in the Ute Mountain Ute powwow arbor, adjacent to the Recreation Center in Towaoc, Colo., beginning Friday evening, June 2 through Saturday evening, June 3. The annual Bear Dance Powwow hosted four drum groups, with the head drum chosen every session while the Ute Mountain incoming Royalty served as head staff. Dan Clark was the Emcee and Dick Dorsey was the Arena Director. The powwow was made possible with the help and dedication of the Towaoc community – grateful to everyone who helped make the event a success – always an honor to see the sister tribes come and celebrate the powwow.

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