Finding My Dance

RIA THUNDERCLOUD | Ho-Chunk Nation and Pueblo of Sandia

KALILA J. FULLER

  • English

  • powwow, dance, Indigenous culture and family

  • Pre Kindergarten +

At four years old, Ria Thundercloud was brought into the powwow circle, ready to dance in the special jingle dress her mother made for her. As she grew up, she danced with her brothers all over Indian country. Then Ria learned more styles--tap, jazz, ballet--but still loved the expressiveness of Indigenous dance. And despite feeling different as one of the only Native American kids in her school, she always knew she could turn to dance to cheer herself up.