4TH ANNUAL NAKOTAH LARANCE YOUTH HOOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
August 2 & 3, 2025 • 9am–5pm
Free Admission, Free Parking
710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM
Milner Plaza
Museum Of Indian Arts & Culture
The Nakotah LaRance Youth Hoop Dance Championship celebrates the passion Nakotah had for empowering our Native youth through dance and culture. Nakotah is credited for bringing the Native American Hoop Dance back to New Mexico. His work inspired a young boy, Valentino Tzigiwhaeno Rivera (2008-2016), to become a hoop dancer, whose wish was that all young Native youth could learn this dance.
Nakotah helped inspire and found The Lightning Boy Foundation, whose mission is to nurture and empower our Native youth through cultural programming.
Nakotah LaRance (Hopi-Tewa) was a nine time World Hoop Dance Champion, award-winning actor, and humanitarian.
Competitive Divisions:
Tiny Tot Division ( 5 years old & under )
Youth Division ( 6 years to 12 years old )
Teenage Division ( 13 years to 17 years old )
Collegiate Division ( 18 years to 26 years old)
Hosted by:
Lightning Boy Foundation Inc. in
collaboration with the Museum Of Indian Arts & Culture
Recommendations for event:
Park in designated lots for general public
Bring collapsable chairs, sun protection and refillable water bottles
Restrooms open inside Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Pre-Registration is open online until July 31 @ 11:59PM
Register online or come early to the event between 7:30am-8:30am on August 2 to register in person.
Rules & Agenda
Rules have been developed with input from the Hoop staff and Advisors to the program. If you would like to enter the championship, please read the rules carefully. The agenda is subject to change with weather, technical or other incidental related issues. Please direct any questions to: lightningboyfoundation@gmail.com.
Nakotah LaRance Youth Hoop Dance Championship Rules
Agenda for Youth Hoop Dance Championship
MUSEUM OF INDIAN ARTS + CULTURE
On Museum Hill, off Old Santa Fe Trail, 710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-1269 www.IndianArtsAndCulture.org