Study Guide

Larry Yazzie& Native P r i d e Dancers

Native Pride DancersNative Pride Dancers are an internationally known high-energy show featuring an innovative blend of modern and traditional Native American dance styles. The performers’ regalia are adorned with vivid assortments of brightly-colored ribbons, feathers, beads, and furs; all of which honor our nations’ elders and the legacy of our traditional arts. The dance is contemporary, yet primal, and uses every muscle and breath to express a rich, cultural heritage.

Based in Minnesota, the Native Pride Dancers represent a proud and vibrant tradition for local, national and international audiences.

LARRY YAZZIELarry is an actor, two-time World Champion Fancy Dancer, an Eagle Dancer, and is from the Meskwaki Nation in Tama, Iowa. He is the Founder and Artistic Director for Native Pride Productions, Inc. which is based in St. Paul, MN. His repertoire includes performances at the Olympics, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Institute. Larry has performed all over the world and has won many awards for his dancing. As an international lecturer, dancer, and educator, Larry has earned the reputation for being one of the nation’s leading experts on Native American dance. In May 2010, he and his son Jessup were the sole U.S. performers invited for performances and workshops throughout northern France. He founded Native Pride Productions to give back to his community and to the world.

“By sharing life stories through music, dance and storytelling, we nurture meaningful communication among all people.”

Larry’s goal is to share cultural traditions through artist-in-residency workshops, performances, lectures, classroom instruction and theatrical performances enhancing access to diverse, multicultural artists for people of all ages and backgrounds. His warm, enthusiastic spirit truly reflects the beauty of Indigenous people. Following the tradition of his elders, he is giving back, and enriching the lives of all audiences for generations to come.

OUR MISSIONEducate, inspire, motivate and empower diverse communities to bridge

cultural gaps through Indigenous traditions.

For the EducatorRainbow-colored headdresses… pulsating drumming… fancy footwork… experience the excitement of a Native American powwow! World Champion Fancy Dancer Larry Yazzie of the Meskwaki Nation, his young son Jessup, and the Native Pride Dancers perform music and movement passed down by their ancestors for centuries. Enjoy the beauty, skill, and majesty of the flamboyant Fancy Dance, featuring free-style movement with lots of energy, spectacular costumes, and sacred songs from the Northern Plains. Enhanced by indigenous vocal and flute music, other dances like the Buffalo, Eagle, and Round Dance celebrate various animals, crops, the sun, and the wind. Yazzie has performed everywhere, from the Atlanta Olympics and Goodwill Games in Russia to Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!

Instructional StrategiesThis video lends itself to large-groups or individual viewing as well as to individual and group research.

Have students research various Native American tribes and present their findings musically, artistically, or in a performance of some kind. After the presentations, compare and contrast the various tribes and what makes them unique as well as what they have in common.

Each Native American tribe has its own tradition and beliefs, but there are some similarities among tribes. Native Americans believe that all elements of creation are important and interconnected. For example, they believe that all of the natural world, including mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, animals and humans are alive and filled with spiritual power. Humans are one part of creation connected to everything around them.

Have students research other cultures that believe in spiritualism and animism such as Japanese culture. Compare and contrast the different views and practices of these cultures.

The eagle is considered a sacred animal to Native Americans; because the eagle can soar so high, it is believed that it can communicate directly with the Creator. Eagle feathers are an important part of the regalia for both women and men.

Ask students to explore animals that are sacred to other cultures. What makes them so special and valuable for each culture?

The Jingle Dress Dance - also known as the healing dance, for the first dresses were used in healing a medicine man’s daughter - originated with the Ojibwe People. Smooth movement and poise are features of this dance. The dancer moves in a simple zigzag step to make the jingles sway. The jingles, rolled-up tin lids attached with colorful ribbons, create a sound similar to rain fall.

The Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance originated in the 1960s and was inspired by a movement by women to create a style of dance that was fast and light on their feet. Inspired by the movement of butterflies, the dance has intricate footwork and spinning that show the fringe on the shawl and the colors of the dancer’s outfit.

The Men’s Fancy War Dance originated in the 1950s from the Ponca Nation in Oklahoma. The dance requires fancy footsteps, quick movements, stamina and is usually done by young men. The best dancers are able to keep time to the extremely fast drumbeat and stop on the last beat of the drum.The regalia worn by Fancy dancers is extremely colorful and includes a head roach,Angora leggings, bells, shoulder feather bustles and twin bustles adorned with long horse hair.

The Men’s Northern Traditional Dance is one of the oldest dances and is credited to the Lakota/Dakota Nations, though many tribal nations have their own version of Traditional Dance styles. The Dancer tells a story through his movements: warriors preparing for battle, hunting or tracking the enemy… The dancer carries an eagle feather fan and a staff and wears bells on his ankles.

The Eagle Dance simulates an eagle in flight. Each step represents a prayer, which eagles are believed to carry to the Creator, as well as the movement of an eagle’s majestic, powerful wings. We dedicate this dance to our Warriors, the Veterans.

The origins of the Chicken Dance come from the Blackfoot Tribe and the dance is said to have come from the prairie chicken’s springtime mating dance. The traditional regalia worn by the chicken dancers includes a head roach, breechcloth, round bells, and a small feather bustle. The dance is done in mimicking the mating dance of the Prairie Chicken that we see in the prairies.

Feel the beat of the drum, experience the hypnotizing power of dance,

and enjoy the rhythm of the music as we share the cultural history,

traditions, ways, beliefs, and spiritual importance of Indigenous peoples.

Viewing StrategyBefore you get started, think of what you already know about Native American culture. Keep this in mind as you view these video clips.

As you watch, stay focused on your purpose for viewing. Find out about the Native American dance traditions.

As you watch, find out why tradition is so important in Native American culture.

After viewing, think about how Yazzie believes we are all connected. Think about whether you agree or disagree with him and why.

Critical ThinkingIn what ways does Larry Yazzie relate to people in other parts of the world such as Japan and Australia?

How and why does Yazzie incorporate more modern dance moves into traditional Native American dance?

Get to know Larry Yazzie & The Native Pride DancersWhat do you call the garments that you wear and where do you find them? They look extremely heavy. How much do they weigh?

I prefer to call my garments regalia or outfit. We don’t call them costumes because these items are sacred to us as indigenous people. The beadwork, quill work (quill of the porcupine and hair is used as part of our roach or headdress) takes many hours, days and months to create. It is made with prayer.

Tell me about the different “regalia” and the different dances you perform.

There are different styles of dances in PowWow’s. I dance the Men’s Northern style fancy dance, a flamboyant and colorful style originated in Oklahoma back in the early 1900s. I also dance the Men’s Northern Style Traditional which is a dance telling the story of hunting the enemy or wild game for a successful hunt. The Eagle Dance is a dance of the sacred eagle giving honor and blessings for all those in need of healing and prayers.