Bear Dance Kick-Off Meal

Thursday - June 1, 2023 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

The Southern Ute Bear Dance weekend officially kicked-off with a meal on Friday, May 26 at the Sky Ute Casino Resort. The meal was shared with Southern, Northern and Ute Mountain Ute tribal members and families, as well as employees of the Southern Ute Tribe.

KSUT staffers, Ken Brott, Chris Aland, Jonathan Hunt and Robb Brantley

Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales welcomes all in attendance to the Southern Ute Bear Dance Kick-off meal and other Bear Dance events.

Southern Ute Brave, Henry Whiteskunk II, welcomes those in attendance at the Southern Ute Bear Dance kick-off meal.

Southern Ute Royalty welcome those in attendance at the Southern Ute Bear Dance kick-off meal.

Miss Southern Ute, Grace Gonzales shares a smile with her aunt, Southern Ute elder, Denise Thompson.

Cousins Divine Windy Boy, Avaleena Nanaeto and Aislinn Ryder enjoy each others company during a kick-off meal.

Maria Rivera, son Charles Alston join Shawna Steffler and Southern Ute Council member, Dr. Stacey Oberly.

The family of the late Leonard C. Burch enjoy a meal together. Autumn Sage, center is a 2023 graduate of Ignacio High School.

Ute Mountain Ute Elders ventured over the mountain to join in the Southern Ute Bear Dance Kick-Off Meal.

Southern Ute Tribal Vice-Chairman, Lorelei Cloud welcomes all those in attendance to the Bear Dance Kick-off Meal.

Southern Ute Tribal Councilwoman, Marge Barry welcomes all those in attendance to the Bear Dance Kick-off Meal.

Southern Ute Tribal Councilwoman, Vanessa Pinnecoose-Torres welcomes all those in attendance to the Bear Dance Kick-off Meal.

Southern Ute elder and veteran, Austin Box gave the blessing.

Southern Ute Tribal Council Treasurer, Marvin Pinecoose with wife, Frances and son, Shyden. Shyden was home on leave, he is currently serving in the army, and stationed in Germany.

Southern Ute Councilwoman, Dr. Stacey Oberly has her hands full, as she makes her way back to her table to enjoy her meal.

Southern Ute Cultural Preservation staff members, Language & Culture Assistant Julia Valdez and Cultural Preservation Director, Crystal Rizzo share a moment with Southern Ute Tribal Councilwoman, Linda Baker.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum