RDT Hosts Panel Discussion on BEARS EARS Before Opening Concert

In preparation for Repertory Dance Theatre's concert, Sanctuary on October 5-7, RDT, in collaboration with Utah Diné Bikéyah, will host a free panel discussion, Sacred Land, Sacred Waters, on Wednesday, October 4 at 7 pm at Impact Hub Salt Lake.

The free, public event, funded in part by Utah Humanities will focus on the nature of "sacred" places and the land and water issues impacting the newly-proclaimed Bears Ears National Monument in Southern Utah.

The controversy surrounding the ownership and stewardship of the Monument has both cultural and political overtones and is viewed from a variety of perspectives. The "sacred" nature of Bears Ears is not discussed by those who just evaluate the area in terms of utilitarian use. Can land management incorporate what Native Americans call "traditional knowledge" into the area's stewardship? Can Sovereign Nations have a seat at the table? What are the points of agreement that opposing sides share?

Bears Ears National Monument is not only sacred to sovereign nations, but to white settlers, recreationists and environmentalists. The discussion will use as a departure point the notion that this land speaks to all of us about the spiritual and mythological connections we have to each other and to the earth, not only in Utah but across the nation.

The panel is connected to RDT's newest commission, Dancing the Bears Ears, by choreographer Zvi Gotheiner. After traveling to the Monument in May of 2017, Gotheiner and the RDT dancers returned to create a new ritual that connects humanity to sacred water and land.

Panelists include:
Willie Grayeyes (Diné)
Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk (Ute Mt. Ute)
Mary Benally (Diné)
Ann Hannibal, Natural History Museum
Sara Dant, Historian, Weber State University
Moderator: Daniel McCool, University of Utah

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