PHOENIX – Super Bowl XLII has come and gone, but the ”Giant” opportunity for a young traditional dance troupe is one that will be remembered far into the future.
Flagstaff’s Kinlani Bordertown Dormitory Dancing Warriors performed for thousands of guests at the VIP Pre-Game Super Bowl party. Performing four times through the afternoon, the Dancing Warriors were joined by other Native dancers from across the state. Apache Crown Dancers, Hopi and Yaqui dance groups also participated.
”The traditional dances were not done as much after the Long Walk. A lot of it was forgotten because of the sorrow people had gone through,” adviser Lorena Atene, Dine’, explained. ”They didn’t want to talk about it. You had to actually pull oral history out.”
The Dancing Warriors consist of eight dancers and four singers, all students at Flagstaff High School. During their presentations, they featured the Basket Dance, performed only by the young ladies, and the Bow and Arrow Dance, performed by all of the dancers together.
Atene explained the Dancing Warriors’ dances to be a blend of traditional Dine’ movements with contemporary interpretations.
”The Basket Dance tells the story of how Navajo people used to make a living from making and selling baskets. The Bow and Arrow Dance depicts how men used to provide food for their families by hunting,” Atene said.
Songs by Dine’ artists Delphine Tsinajinne and Ed Natay provided a contemporary backdrop for the time-honored dances. Following the Long Walk during which Dine’ people were removed from their lands in Arizona and forcibly moved to Ft. Sumner, N.M., Atene said many of the traditional dances were lost or [purposely] forgotten. Due to the pain caused by being so far from their homelands and losing hundreds of Dine’ people who died during the five-year relocation, Atene said the traditional dances were laid to rest.
With the Dancing Warriors’ re-interpretation of the traditional, she said, they are giving new life to what was forgotten.
”I feel that we’re putting tradition back into the culture. To be able to see this type of dance that still signifies our way of life is putting the Blessing Way back into the kids,” Atene said. ”It’s ‘Ho’zho’oji.’ It’s the Blessing Way and it’s beauty. I think that if that’s instilled in the kids, they’ll know they are really unique people.”
Dancing Warriors’ singer Evan Williams, Dine’ and Hawaiian, 17, said the experience is meaningful as it gives the group the opportunity to share what they value with other cultures.
”I get to share part of my culture with the world … revealing it to everybody and having them take a look at what traditions we have in a whole different way. It’s a different way – a different type of tradition that no one has seen before,” Williams said.
He said that exposing audiences to these dances and songs will generate appreciation for the beauty of American Indian spirituality and traditions. At the same time, the experiences allow the dancers to play a part in carrying forward cultural values.
”It’s our turn to take control of it and to pass it on to the younger generation and to everyone else,” Williams said.
Through the months of preparation, the students have grown to respect the dances, the music, the culture and each other.
”I felt like it pulls them together and gives them pride in their culture. They improve, help each other and encourage each other,” Atene said.
Kinlani chief executive officer Carlos Begay said the group was invited in late November to perform. Since the time the group began practicing, Begay has witnessed the growth in self-confidence and character of the students.
Through Williams’ words, this was apparent.
”It’s an opportunity that’s not easy to come by. So, it has made me commit myself more to my school work and my job. It has just made me appreciate everything,” Williams said.
Dancer Joceal Atene, Dine’, 14, said the chance to present her culture at the Super Bowl pre-game party was a privilege.
”It’s special for me because I’ve been doing it for a long time now and it’s very passionate. It’s an honor for me to represent the Navajo Nation,” she said.
The Kinlani Dorm is located in Flagstaff, home to approximately 160 students from the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Nation, the Hualapi Tribe, the White Mountain Apache, Yavapai Apache and others.
Dancing Warriors participants were included based upon recommendation.
Group members include dancers Natalie Neztsosie, Dine’, 14; Chanteal Williams, Dine’, 15; Taylor Chimoni, San Carlos Apache, Dine’ and Zuni, 15; Timothy Williams, Dine’, 17; Freddie Smith Jr., Dine’, 14; Nicolas Begay, Dine’, 14; and Preston Dan, Dine’, 17. The other singers are Danielle Atene, Dine’, 14; Cherish Tso, Dine’, 17; and Baylan Sekaquaptewa, Hopi, 17.
The group plans to continue performing based upon available funding.