The Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Dept. hosted the annual Bear Dance Feast to show hospitality to all who attended the four-day spring celebration in Ignacio, Monday, May 26. Southern Ute Tribal Council members and Cultural Preservation staff helped serve stew and corn. The beef stew was prepared early Monday morning by Velma Armijo with meat and veggies supplied by the Sky Ute Casino Resort.

Southern Ute Tribal Council members, with members of the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council, helped serve oven bread, corn bread, and watermelon to the hundreds of people attending the Bear Dance feast. Special Events Coordinator, Eugene Bereza said, “The weather wanted to let loose, but it held back ... I think everyone was happy with the meal overall!”