30th Annual Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

Artistry, sheer athleticism, cultural traditions

Kick off First Friday Evening February 7, 6 to 10 p.m.
Contest- Saturday February 8 and Sunday February 9, 2020

On Saturday and Sunday, top American Indian and Canadian First Nations hoop dancers will compete at the Heard Museum for the prestigious World Champion title and cash prizes. At the two-day competition, men and women compete on an equal field.

The art of hoop dance honors the cultural traditions from multiple Indigenous communities that first employed hoop dance as a healing ceremony. Today, hoop dance is shared as an artistic expression to celebrate and honor Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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). See the contest rules below for further detail.

NOTE: This is an outdoor event, rain or shine. Lawn seating only. We recommend bringing folding chairs or blankets. Outside food and beverages (excluding water bottles) may not be brought into this event.

About Hoop Dancing

Hoop dancing is a long-standing tradition in many Native cultures. This unique dance can involve the use of more than 50 hoops. Passed down from one generation to the next, hoop dancing communicates individual and tribal stories using hoops to create symbols and depict animals of great meaning in Native communities. The continuous circle of the hoops symbolizes the circle of life and the continual changing of the seasons.

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.

Download the Hoop Dance flier to print or share on social media.

Contestant Information

Prizes

Youth	Teen	Adult	Senior
1st $350	1st $750	1st $3500	1st $2500
2nd $200	2nd $500	2nd $2500	2nd $2000
3rd $150	3rd $350	3rd $2000	3rd $1500
		4th $1500
		5th $1000
		6th $750

Registration

Hoop Dance Contestants Proof of Enrollment
NEW: All contestants must bring proof of tribal enrollment at check-in on Saturday morning to compete, even if you have provided a digital copy with your registration.

Contestants are encouraged to register early. By registering by or before Jan. 24 your name will be included as a participant in the 2020 program. Early registration ends at 5 p.m., Jan. 24, 2020. If you register after Jan. 24, you will of course be able to participate, but your name will not be in the program.

Online Registration for contestants is open!
Online registration closes at the end of business on Feb. 7, 2020.

For information on registering as a competitor, please contact Cassandra Lofgreen at clofgreen@heard.org.

Contest Rules

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest 2020 Rules

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2019 Winners

Adult (18-39)

World Adult Champion: Cody Boettner, #403 (Creek)
2nd Place:Tyrese Jensen, #411 (Diné / Pima-Maricopa)
3rd Place: Sampson Sixkiller Sinquah, #409 (Hopi / Pima / Cherokee)
4th Place: Scott Sinquah, #408 (Hopi / Pima / Cherokee)
5th Place: Patrick Willie, #422 (Diné)
6th Place: Tony Duncan, #416 (San Carlos Apache / Arikara / Hidasta)

Senior (40 and above)

World Senior Champion:Lane Jensen, #502 (Diné / Maricopa)
Second Place:Terry Goedel, #501 (Yakama / Tulalip)
Third Place:Moontee Sinquah, #503 (Hopi / Tewa / Choctaw)

Teens (13-17)

World Teen Champion:Nanabah Kadenehii, #310 (Diné)
Second Place:Josiah Enriquez, #308 (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
Third Place:Nedallas Hammill, #322 (Diné / HoChunk)

Youth (6-12)

World Youth Champion:Kailayne Jensen, #217, (Diné / Maricopa)
Second Place:Rito “RJ” Lopez, #228, (Pima / Apache / Arikara / Hidasta)
Third Place: JaiP’o Harvier, #202 (Pueblo of Pojoaque / Santa Clara Pueblo)

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