Southern Ute Bear Dance welcomes spring

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Dancing into the evening, the fires burn bright as dusk descends over the Bear Dance corral on the third day of the spring celebration. Singers keep the energy high on Sunday evening, as partners break into pairs for the Southern Ute Bear Dance in Ignacio. As day turns to night — the Catman keeps a vigilant watch over the Bear Dance.
Sarah Cuch and Ute Indian Tribe Bear Dance Chief, AJ Kanip partner up for a dance.
Southern Ute elders, Austin Box and brother, Russell Box Sr. sit together ahead of the blessing of the Bear Dance Grounds on Friday, May 26. The men assisted Bear Dance Chief Matthew Box with the blessing ahead of the first dance.
Young singers take their place on the growler box, where they learn the songs and practice their skills with a growler — in these ways, Bear Dance traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.
Former Southern Ute Vice Chairman, Ramona Eagle and her sister, Linda Eagle enjoy watching their grandkids participate in the Bear Dance each spring.
Theoden Greany breaks away from the line dance with his partner on the final day of the Southern Ute Bear Dance in Ignacio.
Young Kailanii Graham is dressed to the nines for her first day of Bear Dancing in Ignacio, where Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy students and community members come together for the first line dances of the weekend.
Jakob Box tends to the fire in the Bear Dance corral on Sunday evening. The fires burn into the night, keeping the dancers warm during the cool evenings along the Pine River.
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
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Fri Jun 2nd, 2023 , by Staff report |

The Bear Dance energy was high this weekend as dancers, singers, and family members came together in Ignacio for the annual Southern Ute Bear Dance, packing the corral each day for the spring celebration. Each Ute tribe holds their own Bear Dance, starting in the early spring months and ending at White Mesa in September. Singers from the Ute sister tribes help each other out during the four-day celebration, taking turns at the growler box in order to keep the dancers on their feet.  

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