Cultural Events

Yellow Bird Indian Dance Group Visits Guatemala

David (Cheyenne Nation), Ken Duncan Jr. (Apache Nation) and Violet (Cree Nation), performing in San Lucas Toliman, Solola, June 22, 2007.

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Six members of the (Yellow Bird Dance Group), representing Native American tribes from throughout the United States, visited Guatemala June 19-23. More than 2,000 Guatemalans from Quiche, Solola and Guatemala City viewed their colorful costumes, lively dances, inspiring storytelling and moving music during their six performances in Guatemala. In Santa Cruz de Quiche local residents honored the group with a Mayan ceremony and dance performance in the Mayan ruins of Gumarcaaj, while in Solola, local residents treated the Yellow Birds to a lively display of Kaqchiquel music and dance. The Yellow Birds also met with local leaders in Quiche and Solola, sharing their cultures and experiences as indigenous peoples. In Guatemala City, the Yellow Birds gave two performances before packed houses at the Guatemalan-American Institute. The group received warm welcomes everywhere they went.

The Yellow Bird Indian Dancers were founded by Ken Duncan, Sr., a full-blooded Apache from the San Carlos Reservation in southern Arizona. He was accompanied by his sons Tony, four-time winner of the World Hoop Dancing Contest, and Kenneth Jr.; along with David Brush, from the Cheyenne and Lakota Nations; Cheryl Abe, from the Ojibway and Navajo Nations; and Violet John (Tony’s fiancée), from the Cree Nation.