We Shall Remain: Utah Indian Elementary Curriculum Guide - The Utes;
Subject
Indians of North America; Children; Education, Elementary; Indians of North America--Education; Indians of North America--Rites and ceremonies;
Place names
Utah;
Keyword
Children; Education; Indians of North America; Ute Indians; Ute Indians--History; Indians of North America--Rites and ceremonies; Culture; Utah Indians, Children, Education, Elementary
Tribe
Ute;
Creator
America West Center, Univ. of Utah;
Description
This assignment asks students to fill out a chart pertaining to the Ute Bear Dance;
Publisher
Digitized by: J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah;
Date.original
2009;
Type
Text;
Format
applicaton/pdf;
File name
4thUte.pdf
Language
eng;
Rights
This material may be protected by copyright. Permission may be required for use in any form. For further information please contact the American West Center, University of Utah: 801-581-7611;
TEACHER BACKGROUND
The Utes say that the Bear Dance came from a bear just emerging from hibernation who encountered
a young hunter. The bear described the dance, which would ensure successful hunting for the Utes.
The dance is a celebration of spring and an opportunity for Ute bands to join together after the long
winter months.
Goshute
THE UTES
W E S H A L L R E M A I N : U TA H I N D I A N C U R R I C U L U M G U I D E
83
THE BEAR DANCE AS AN EXPRESSION OF UTE CULTURE
Objecti ve
The student will learn about Ute culture by investigating the Bear Dance tradition.
Student Materials
Ute Bear Dance Chart
Bear Dance Photographs
Time Frame
Two thirty-minute periods
Teacher Materials
At a Glance: The Bear Dance and Ute Community
The Night the Grandfathers Danced by Linda Theresa Raczek and illustrated by Katalin Olah Ehling
If you do not have access to a copy of this book, a PowerPoint of the story is available at
www.UtahIndians.org.
We Shall Remain: The Ute (chapter 2, 2:00–3:55; chapter 6, 25:22–end)
Ute Bear Dance Chart Answer Key
Additional footage available at www.kued.org/productions/weshallremain/ute/culture
Procedure
Read The Night the Grandfathers Danced to your students. Ask them to share their favorite parts of
the story in an informal discussion. Ask the students if they are ready to take a test about Ute culture.
Once they are calmed back down, offer to read through the story again, page-by-page, having them
look for clues as you go along. Pass out a copy of the Ute Bear Dance Chart for the class to take notes
on as the story is reread. Allow students to work with a partner in completing the Ute Bear Dance
Chart.
Conclude with a clip from We Shall Remain: The Ute to show students a contemporary example of the
Bear Dance.
