In collaboration with the South Dakota Arts Council, the Cheyenne River Youth Project will be hosting a Hoop Dancing Workshop taught by renowned hoop dancer Dallas Chief Eagle Jr. The class will be held this Friday, June 27th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cokata Wiconi Teen Center Morgan Yellowhead Gymnasium. The free classes will be broken into two age groups: Ages 6-12 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and ages 6-18 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The classes will be followed by a performance by the students at 6:30 p.m. The performances are open to the public and a light supper will be served.
Chief Eagle, who is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Lakota Nation, is a recognized master and mentor of the Lakota Hoop Dance and as the director of the Hoop Dance Society on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, according to the South Dakota Arts Council.
Using over 300 hoops, students will learn self-balance, rhythm and movement, Chief Eagle – who is also a storyteller – teaches traditional Lakota values and character development, as well as the importance of male and female roles in the world. Those interested can sign up online here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gRdIGbiiNYLQPz5fLB-Dm4dq8o5gcCggkl0ho3rkExY/viewform.
“We are thrilled to offer traditional hoop dancing to our kids,” says Julie Garreau, executive director. “Part of our mission is provide culturally relevant and traditional activities and events to the youth of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation. And we appreciate Dallas Chief Eagle for his commitment to sharing his talent and knowledge with our community.”
In addition to hoop dancing, Dallas Chief Eagle Jr., earned his Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1983 from the University of South Dakota and also received his M.A. from USD in Counseling, Guidance and Personnel Services. He holds membership in the American Association of Counseling and Development, the National Art Therapy Association, the South Dakota Indian Counselors Association; and the Medicine Wheel Association, Big Horn Mountains.
For more information on the Hoop Dancing Workshop please contact Tammy Eagle Hunter at tammy.cryp@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/lakotayouth; www.twitter.com/lakotayouth or at www.lakotayouth.org.
Founded in 1988, the Cheyenne River Youth Project is dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities, ensuring strong, self-sufficient families and communities. Today, CRYP provides a wide variety of programs and services to the community, covering nearly 3 million acres in South Dakota.