Kenneth Shirley of the Diné (Navajo People) is the founder and CEO of Indigenous Enterprise, a Native American dance troupe that has performed in music videos, on television, and in President Joe Biden’s virtual Inauguration Day parade. Shirley and fellow Indigenous Enterprise member Tyrenn Lodgepole performed at Jacob’s Pillow in 2019 as part of The Land on Which We Dance, a weeklong celebration of Indigenous dance and culture. The Men’s Fancy War Dance (or Fancy Dance) is one of the most popular dances in contemporary powwow performances and competitions. Originating from the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the men’s Fancy Dance draws from the movement of horses and showcases fast footwork, athleticism, agility, and originality. Shirley is wearing the large double bustles of vibrant feathers, which are a distinctive feature of the men’s Fancy Dance, as well as other traditional regalia including a beaded yoke, cuffs, headband, and a porcupine roach headdress.
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