The University of Scranton students turn toward the sound of jingling bells to watch the Native American story- teller enter and walk center stage in the McIlhenny Ballroom.

Larry Yazzie, member of the Mesk- waki Nation of Iowa, performed at The University of Scranton on Oct. 18. He arrived wearing traditional clothing called a regalia that was embellished with eagle feathers, vibrantly dyed deer hair and a tambourine on his mocca- sin.

The event was organized by USPB

and the Multicultural Center. Assistant Director of the Cultural Centers, José Sanchéz, said Yazzie was selected to perform because they wanted an event that was related to Indigenous Peoples Day, which was celebrated earlier in October.

A student member of the Multicul- tural Center introduced Yazzie after reading The University of Scranton’s Land Acknowledgment Statement. Sanchéz followed the introduction by raising awareness about the Native American community.

“Lift up and celebrate their Native American culture during this event to-

night,” Sanchéz said.
Dance allows Yazzie to fulfill his

purpose of educating, motivating and inspiring others while dispelling ste- reotypes about his culture. His father started teaching him different styles of dance at the age of seven.

Yazzie has since developed his own contemporary style that is blended with traditional elements. He is the founder of the Native Pride Dancers and was photographed for an Apple billboard advertisement.

Yazzie performed three different dances at the event including the Burn Dance and the Round Dance. Each dance is dependent on the drum which is the heartbeat of his people, Yazzie said.

The drumbeat is a steady force that drives the dance as everything from the dancer to the bells must keep in time to the drum’s rhythm. It requires energy and stamina to complete the footwork, Yazzie said.

Dance helps Yazzie stay connected with his relatives who have passed on to the spirit world as he knows they are dancing with him, Yazzie said. He then shared what his father told him about dancing with passion.

“The regalia is part of you, it’s your medicine. Make the regalia feathers come back to life,” Yazzie said.

The traditional dances are import- ant to teach younger generations and share with the public as they illustrate that Native Americans are here alive and strong, Yazzie said. Powwows are celebrations open to the public thatYazzie encouraged the audience to at- tend to further educate themselves.

Questions from students were an- swered between dances. Students were invited to join in one dance together with Yazzie. They formed a circle and held hands as Yazzie instructed them on how to move their feet.

Zitha Igbokwe, senior accounting major, attended the event with support from his Native American friends. Yazzie’s performance helps build a stronger and more inclusive commu- nity where people from all cultures feel welcome, Igbokwe said.

“Watching Larry was an enriching experience where I got to experience an extremely different culture. His les- sons, attire and overall presence left me taken aback,” Igbokwe said.

Between dances Yazzie also dis- cussed the oppression of Native Amer- icans and the progression of global warming. He follows the mantra of “keep dancing through life” as a form of self-care and a celebration of his Meskwaki culture.

“We are a beautiful culture,” Yazzie said. “Let’s take care of our indigenous land.”

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