Native American dance group "Native Pride Dancers" and student theater "Mirrors" will perform at AUCA stage

September 5, 2016

On September 6, 2016, the “Native Pride Dancers,” Native American dance group from the United States and student’s theater of AUCA “Mirrors,” will be performing “Dancing through Life” and show master classes at the AUCA.

The event is being organized by the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. The show is open to all students, faculty, and staff.

Date: September 6, 2016

Place: CH, AUCA

Time: 15:00 – 17:00

From the Native Pride Arts website:

 We are an internationally known high-energy show featuring an innovative blend of modern and traditional Native American dance style.  Our performers wear vivid assortments of brightly-colored ribbons, feathers and beads all which honor our nations’ elders.  Our dance is contemporary, and yet primal as we use every muscle and breath to express our rich, cultural heritage.

 

We offer a variety of dance types from solo to large ensemble productions designed for classrooms as well as theaters.  Based in Minnesota, the Native Pride Dancers represent a proud and vibrant tradition for local, national and international audiences.

 A sample of our repertoire includes: 

 – The Summer Olympics

– The Kennedy Center

– The Smithsonian Institute

– Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

– Minnesota State Fair

– NBA Halftime events

- WNBA Halftime events 

– Schools, colleges, universities, festivals and Powwows throughout the U.S., Brazil, Australia, Japan, Moldova, France, and Uzbekistan.

– Guthrie Theater

– Ordway Theater 

 We celebrate the spirit and beauty of Indigenous peoples!  We honor the uniqueness and history of First Nations including the Sac and Fox Tribe of Meskwaki Nation, Lakota Nation of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Ojibwe, Dakota, Menominee, Cree, Ho-Chunk, Navajo , Ute and various other tribes. 

 As individual artists, we join together as one!  We honor our elders through many beautiful forms like music, dance and storytelling to reflect our rich cultural history and customs passed down from generation to generation.  We share the true history of bravery, fortitude, generosity and wisdom.  We are passionately devoted to keeping our traditions alive.

Our mission is to educate, inspire, motivate and empower diverse communities to bridge cultural gaps through Indigenous traditions.  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.

 Native Pride Arts fosters self-awareness, self-esteem and expression through:

–Performances

–Workshops

–Presentations

–Storytelling

–Music

–Teaching

–Artist-in-Residencies

–Lectures

 Dancer Bios

 Shaina Snyder: Yá'át'ééh (hello), my name is Shaina Snyder; I am Navajo and Southern Ute.  I am currently a student at Utah Valley University, studying to get my BS in Business Marketing.  I dance the Jingle Dress style which is a healing dance that originated from the Ojibwa people.  Dancing has allowed me to express myself and share my deep appreciation and love for my family and culture.  I have danced at multiple powwows and other events throughout North America, and have traveled for international tours to Moldova, France, and Uzbekistan.  Through my dancing I hope to heal and bring joy to all people around me.  I feel very honored and privileged to teach and share information about native cultural traditions and dance with the people of Kyrgyzstan.

 William Leonard: Hello my name is William Leonard, I am a member of the Forest County Potawatomi and Ho-Chunk tribes of Wisconsin.  I am currently attending Utah Valley University to obtain a degree in Business Management; I hope to become a business owner in the future.  I am a Fancy Bustle dancer, which symbolize a native warrior and War dance mocking combat.  It is a very energetic dance.  I have been dancing this style at powwows since I was a young teenager; it has become a part of me.  My father Evan Logan taught me this dance; as he used to be a Champion dancer himself.  Dancing has allowed me to travel all over the United States and abroad.  I have done shows for various schools in Wisconsin, at the Wisconsin State Capital for Native American awareness week, and abroad in Uzbekistan. 

Shelby Snyder: Yá'át'ééh (hello), My name is Shelby Snyder and I am Diné, Ute, Italian, Belgian and adopted Meskwaki. I am 18 years old and I come to you from West Jordan, UT. This school year I will be a senior at Copper Hills High School. I dance the Fancy Shawl style. Women's fancy shawl is the newest style of pow wow dancing and is meant to resemble a butterfly; with all of its grace and beauty. I started dancing at a very young age. Pow wow dancing has always been a major part of my life and allows me to maintain a cultural connection with my native ancestors, while living in the city. I have done various shows throughout the United States with Indian National Finals Rodeo and the National Finals Rodeo. I am very excited to travel to Kyrgyzstan with the Native Pride Dancers and share my culture with you all. Ah'ehee' (thank you)

 Sean Snyder: Yá'át'ééh (hello) my name is Sean Snyder and I am Navajo and Southern Ute from Salt Lake City, Utah.  I dance the Fancy War Dance style and the Prairie Chicken style.  I have danced ever since I could walk; from a very young age dancing has become a huge part of my life.  Dancing in the circle has helped encourage me to practice the art of beading.  I am a college student at Utah Valley University studying the arts.  My expertise is in the making of traditional Native American arts. Dancing has given me the opportunity to dance all over the world.  In the past years I have traveled to New York City to dance in the Macy’s day Parade for National television.  I have been on international trips to Moldova, France, and Uzbekistan to tour the country and share my culture through dance.  I am very excited to visit the country of Kyrgyzstan and showcase the Fancy Warrior dance. 

 Adrian Stevens: Hello (mic), my name is Adrian Matthias Stevens.  I was born and raised near the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in Northeastern Utah.  On my maternal Side I am Northern Ute, my paternal side I am San Carlos Apache, Shoshone-Bannock, and French Canadian.  My heritage means learning and absorbing the knowledge that our ancestors left behind; Rituals, language, faith.  Practicing in unison, creating that same strength within us as individuals.  I dance to represent and share the teachings that were bestowed upon me.  I dance the Grass dance and Chicken Dance styles.  My Dancing has taken me abroad to New Zealand, Tonga, and most recently Uzbekistan.  I currently own a Contemporary Native Design company specializing in purse, while also pursuing my degree in finance.  I hope everyone enjoys the rich cultures we are bringing to Kyrgyzstan! 

 

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