Native Dancing

The boys and I joined the MatSu intertribal dance group a few months ago and we have learned about 6 dances. We learned 2 Aluutiq songs and then somehow I became the Yupik instructor. Anyhow, we meet every Tuesday and last night was the boys' first performance. We danced at the MatSu diversity celebration. I spent the day making Ty a new kuspuk (red one) and making the boys their dance fans. They looked adorable. So much so, that the superintendent had to make his way over to introduce himself to us. The boys have been practicing their dances here at home, practically shouting each and ever word to each other, dancing every move but somehow they danced much differently when we were actually onstage. I don't know if it was stage fright or if they just forgot what we were supposed to be doing but they said they still had a blast. Afterwards, we gorged ourselves on yummy fry bread, did some beading crafts, and learned NYO events like the Alaskan high kick, one-foot and two-foot high kicks. What a fun day!