Native American Hoop Dance and Hip Hop, from Minneapolis to Albuquerque | If Cities Could Dance

Indigenous movement artists from Minneapolis to Albuquerque represent their culture and honor their ancestors—past and future—through dance.

📺Watch all our videos for Native American Heritage Month here ▶    • Native American Heritage | KQED Arts  
📺Watch all If Cities Could Dance here ▶    • If Cities Could Dance | KQED Arts  

📍🗺 MINNEAPOLIS 🗺📍

Lumhe “Micco” Sampson and his older brother Samsoche (Seneca and Muscogee Creek), who perform together as the Sampson Brothers (https://sampsonbrosarts.com) are well known on powwow grounds and beyond for their impressive hoop dance routines.

“Performing in my regalia I definitely feel like a superhero or like wearing a super suit … it just has its own energy,” says Micco. “We're Native American, yeah, but we’re also alive in this 21st century.”

See the brothers move in sync to the beat of Native hip hop at the starting place of the American Indian Movement.

📍🗺 ALBUQUERQUE 🗺📍

Albuquerque’s thriving hip hop and freestyle dance scene is influenced by Indigenous dancers from many tribes, Pueblos and other communities. A strong sense of solidarity holds it all together, say dancers Anne Pesata (Jicarilla Apache) and Raven Bright (Diné).

“When I dance, I’m joining all of the influences and the culture that I have within myself,” says Anne. “I feel connected to something bigger than me.”

Together, the couple describes the scene and the dance they carry forward as “Indigenous futurism.”

➡ Follow the Sampson Brothers on Instagram ▶   / sampsonbroz  
➡ Follow Anne Pesata on Instagram ▶   / aunsica  
➡ Follow Raven Bright on Instagram ▶   / raven_paven_11  

🎥CREDITS:
Cinematographers: Shaandiin Tome, Forrest Goodluck, Austin Madrid, Brennan Vance
Drone Cinematography: Jon Reynolds, Shutterstock
Producers: Charlotte Buchen Khadra, Kelly Whalen, Chinwe Oniah
Editors: Kelly Whalen, Chinwe Oniah, Rachel Boyoung Kim
Associate Producer: Masha Pershay
Music: Randy L. Barton a.k.a. Randy Boogie, Frank Waln, Thomas X
Engagement Producers: Lina Blanco, Sarah Pineda, Vida Kuang
Special Thanks: Rulan Tangen, Dancing Earth Indigenous Contemporary Dance Creations, Shane Montoya, Breakin’ Hearts, Mary LaGarde, The American Indian Center
Senior Producer: Kelly Whalen
Executive Producer: David Markus

#NativeAmerican #IfCitiesCouldDance #dance