Governor Gregoire declares May 20-26, 2012 “Bear Awareness Week” Special resources celebrate state’s grizzly and black bears and educate the public on how to co-exist Black bears and grizzlies are an important part of our state’s natural heritage. Today, Washington has one of the healthiest black bear populations in the U.S.  It is also one [...]

The role of the bear has always been prominent in American Indian initiation and healing ceremonies, in shamanic rites, in the quest for guardian spirits, and in many dances. This photo is of a Bear Ceremony by northern Paiute people taken in 1967 at Jamestown, California. All across North America, Indians have honored bears. When [...]