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Show 5-1143 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Indian dancegNITED STATE3 |NDiAN SERVICE and licensed traders Uintah and Ouray Agency, . ' Fort DuChesne, Utah, May 14, 1912. The Commissioner of, Indian Affairs, fF'i {*' 7 o. ./'// Washington, D. C. Sir:.;-; h) ' j FF\ j. - ',- These Indians have from time immemorial practiced dancing in the Indian way and the civilising work and influences of the government have so far had hut slight effect thereon. There are two annual dances celebrated each year, namely the "hear dane" just at the close of winter and the "sun dance" about the close of June. These two dances usually mean the gathering of the bands at certain locations, and particularly in the case of the bear dance it is the usual custom to hold such at two different points on the reservation and at different periods so that the bands can reciprocate by visiting each other- At other seasons of the year community dances are held at frequent periods but usually involve only slight gatherings. The evils of the bear dance are a loss in a financial way and the injury to their health. The Indians frequently indulge in the purchase of a great deal of finery such as shawls, silk handkerchiefs and other articles for decoration and they feast to such an elaborate extent that |