https://vimeo.com/918510715?share=copy CONGRATULATIONS 2024 HOOP DANCE CHAMPIONS!
Youth
1st Anjalee Andrews
2nd Naiche Duncan
3rd Isaiah George
Teen
1st Mateo Ulibarri
2nd Jerry Hunt
3rd Jerrhan First Charger
Adult
1st Josiah Enriquez
2nd Talon Ree Duncan
3rd Tony Duncan
4th Scott Sixkiller Sinquah
5th Beany John
6th Sky Duncan
Senior
1st Moontee Sinquah
2nd Terry Goedel
3rd Bartley Harris
Welcome to the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest at the Heard Museum! This annual event attracts over 100 dancers from diverse tribal backgrounds throughout Turtle Island, displaying their masterful skills and carrying on the traditions of hoop dance.
Enjoy delicious food & drinks from local vendors and the Heard Museum’s award-winning restaurant. Engage in hoop-themed family activities, explore offerings from community partners, and shop official merchandise from the Official Hoop Dance Merch Booth. For those unable to attend in person, our streaming partner Gila River Broadcasting presents a livestream of the event hosted on this page, ensuring that the spirit of the contest reaches far and wide.
The World Championship Hoop Dance Contest is a culmination of dozens of community members that show up as dedicated staff, emcees, singers, families, and supporters. From the Arena Emcee, Dennis Bowen, committing over 30 years of live coverage; to Arena Director Eric Manuelito, flawlessly orchestrating the competition’s flow; to our Northern and Southern Drum Groups, The Cozad Singers and Thunder Boy Singers, providing the heartbeat of the arena.
Since the first World Championship hosted at the Heard Museum in 1991, this event has become a cornerstone for cultural preservation, spotlighting and continuing the profound history of hoop dancing within Indigenous communities. Join us in celebrating the artistry and excellence of Indigenous peoples at this thrilling two-day championship that promises to captivate, educate, and inspire all who attend.
2024 Heard Hoop Dance Contest Adult World Champion – Josiah Enriquez (Pueblo of Pojoaque)
Museum Parking
Let us help you find alternative parking options with our
Parking Map and ensure a stress-free arrival at the museum for an unforgettable experience.
Light Rail Access
Embrace eco-friendly travel, beat traffic, and arrive seamlessly. Hop on board for a scenic journey and step off the Encanto/Central stop via Valley Metro Light Rail.
Ride Share
Arrive in style! Join our event at the museum hassle-free with convenient ride-share options. Skip parking stress, enjoy the journey, and make memories at the museum.
Yes, tickets are available to purchase at the gate.
Note: Hoop closes on Sunday at 5:00p.
Culture Passes not valid during this Signature Event.
Photos and video for personal/social media is not only allowed but encouraged!
If intended use is for publication, business, or sales, permission is necessary.
1. Click this link to submit form for review.
2. Please review the photo/video policy to protect the rights of Indigenous Artists.
Popup tents not permitted.
Food, Beverage, Alcohol restrictions
No outside food or drink is permitted, except for water bottles. This event has many outside food vendors as well as our Courtyard Café and Cantina. No outside alcohol is permitted.
Are bags allowed in? What size?
We do not allow cooler bags inside this event. Inside the museum normal bag policies apply.
Pets and service animals
Only Service Animals will be allowed and must be leashed or tethered accordingly. Comfort animals not permitted.
Firearms and weapons
No weapons, any time, inside or outside permitted.
Smoking policy
Not permitted in the Museum, nor within 20 feet of the front entrance. Only allowed in designated smoking areas.
Prohibited Items
Illegal Drugs or Substances, Skateboards, Segways, Scooter, Rollerblades, bicycles, Hoverboards, and helmets. No coolers, ice chests, or pointed-Tip Umbrellas, Patrons without Shoes or Shirt.
Drone restrictions
It is illegal to fly a drone during this event. https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-arizona/
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 have any questions email us at: hoopdance@heard.org.
Heard Museum – 2024 World Champion Hoop Dance Contest Official Rules
2023 Scott Sixkiller Sinquah
2022 Sampson Sixkiller Sinquah
2021 Tony Duncan
2020 Scott Sixkiller Sinquah
2019 Cody Boettner
2018 Nakotah LaRance
2017 Tyrese Jensen
2016 Nakotah LaRance
2015 Nakotah LaRance
2014 Derrick Davis
2013 Derrick Davis
2012 Dallas Arcand
2011 Tony Duncan
2010 Derrick Davis
2009 Brian Hammill
2008 Charles Denny
2007 Dallas Arcand
2006 Dallas Arcand
2005 Alex Wells
2004 Daniel Tramper
2003 Lisa Odjig
2002 Alex Wells
2001 Alex Wells
2000 Lisa Odjig
1999 Vincent Davis
1998 Derrick Davis
1997 Derrick Davis
1996 Derrick Davis
1995 Quentin Pipestem
1994 Derrick Davis
1993 Quentin Pipestem
1992 Quentin Pipestem
1991 Eddie Swimmer
Questions?
Have general event questions? Email us at: hoopdance@heard.org
Interested in being a food/drink vendor: hoop.vendors@heard.org
Our Sponsors are the best! For more info: hoop.sponsors@heard.org
Our sponsors
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Major supporters
Susan Orr, in Memory of her husband William and son Tyler -
Supporters
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Media Partner
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Youth & Family Programming at the Heard is made possible by
The Boeing Company
Hoop Competitors
2023 World Champion Hoop Contest Highlights
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Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Arikara Hidasta Mandan) -
More than 30 Youth Hoop Dancers competed in the 2023 contest. -
Each day, the contest begins with the Grand Entry for all contestants.
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