ADVANCING AMERICAN INDIAN ART
The World Championship Hoop Dance Contest returns to the Heard Museum February 12 & 13, 2022, when the top American Indian and Canadian First Nations hoop dancers will compete at the Heard Museum for the prestigious World Champion title and cash prizes.
The art of hoop dance honors cultural traditions shared by multiple Indigenous communities. With roots in healing ceremonies, traditions and practices, today hoop dance is shared as an artistic expression to celebrate and honor Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Over the years, as the hoop dance community has grown, dancers have incorporated new and creative designs and intricate footwork while still respecting the fundamentals of the form. Each dancer presents his or her own choreography, weaving in aspects of tradition and culture. Men and women compete on an equal field, and individual routines may feature as few as four to as many as 50 hoops, which are manipulated to create a variety of designs such as animals, insects and globes.
Traditional hoops were made from the wood of a willow tree. Modern-day hoops are often made from reed and plastic hose because of the durability of the material when traveling. The hoops are decorated with tape and paint to symbolize the changing colors of each season. The traditional wooden hoops are still used on rare occasions.
Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills: precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativity and speed. Contestants compete in one of five divisions: Tiny Tots (age 5 and younger), Youth (6-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18-39) and Senior (40 and older). Cash prizes totaling $25,000 are awarded to winners in each division, and victors in each division can claim the honor of being the World Champion.
Through stunning performances of those women and men competing to be named the next World Champion Hoop Dancer, the event combines artistry, athleticism, tradition and suspense for an unforgettable weekend of fellowship and competition.
Rules have been developed with input from the Hoop staff and Advisors to the program. If you would like to enter the contest, please read the rules carefully, and direct any questions to: hoopdance@heard.org.
Heard Museum Hoop Dance Contest 2022 Rules
Registration is open. You can fill out the registration form via the link in the sidebar titled, “Register to Compete.”
In order to compete, you must fully complete your online registration by February 4, 2022, at 11:59pm Arizona-Time. We strongly encourage you to register early. You may register online by clicking here or via the “Register to Compete” button in the sidebar.
Once registered, your registration materials will be verified within three (3) business days. Upon verification, you will receive a confirmation email at the address you provide.
| Youth | Teen | Adult | Senior |
| 1st $600 | 1st $1000 | 1st $5000 | 1st $3000 |
| 2nd $400 | 2nd $700 | 2nd $3500 | 2nd $2000 |
| 3rd $250 | 3rd $300 | 3rd $2500 | 3rd $1000 |
| 4th $2000 | |||
| 5th $1500 | |||
| 6th $1000 |
1st Place: Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Mandan/ Hidatsa/ Arikara)
2nd Place: Scott Sixkiller-Sinquah (Gila River Pima, Hopi)
3rd Place: Tyrese Jensen (Diné, Pima Maricopa)
Viewers Choice: Josiah Enriquez (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
1st Place: Terry Goedel (Yakama)
2nd Place: Moontee Sinquah (Hopi, Tewa, Choctaw)
3rd Place: Celina Cada-Matasawagon (Ojibway)
Viewer’s Choice: Celina Cada-Matasawagon (Ojibway)
1st Place: Kailayne Jensen (Diné)
2nd Place: Rito “RJ” Lopez (Akiemel O’odham/ San Carlos Apache/ Arikara/ Hidasta/ Mandan)
3rd Place: Mitchell Shonkwaiataroroks Gray (Mohawk)
Viewers Choice: Joseph Romero (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
1st Place: Mateo Ulibarri (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
2nd Place: Jai’Po Harvier (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
3rd Place: Isiah George (Santa Clara Pueblo)
Viewers Choice: Keeli King (Eastern Shoshone) & Paloma Rivera (Pueblo of Pojoaque) – TIED
World Adult Champion:Scott Sixkiller-Sinquah (Gila River Pima, Hopi)
2nd Place: Tyrese Jensen (Diné, Pima Maricopa)
3rd Place: James Jones (Tallcree First Nation)
4th Place: Sampson Sixkiller-Sinquah (Gila River Pima, Hopi, Cherokee)
5th Place: Talon Duncan (San Carlos, Apache, Arikara/Hidastsa/Mandan)
6th Place: Patrick Willie (Diné)
World Senior Champion:Moontee Sinquah (Hopi, Tewa, Choctaw)
Second Place:Lisa Odjig (Obijwe, Odawa, Pottawatomi)
Third Place:Terry Goedel (Yakama)
World Teen Champion:Nedallas Hammill (Diné)
Second Place:Josiah Enriquez (Pueblo of Pojaque)
Third Place:Joseph Romero (Pueblo of Pojaque/Nambé)
World Youth Champion:Kailayne Jensen (Diné)
Second Place:Isaiah George (Santa Clara Pueblo)
Third Place: JaiP’o Harvier (Pueblo of Pojoaque) #
Get in touch via contact@heard.org for general inquiries.
Email tvigil@heard.org for PR/Media requests.
February 12 – 13, 2022
Saturday – Sunday
Location:
Libby Amphitheater
Event Category:
Festivals, Performances, Special Event
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