Carol Patterson will discuss the representation of Indian sign language gestures to depict the bear dance steps, the meaning of the ‘fierce’ bear for a Ute medicine man to conduct healing ceremonies and the depictions of the Bear medicine sites around the Colorado Plateau. You will also here about lessons from Clifford Duncan on the continuity with the Bear Dance in his lifetime that included healing and doctoring on patients using Bear medicine and the Bear Dance today at White Mesa, Ute Mountain, Southern Ute and Northern Ute reservations.