BEMIDJI, Minn. (Jan. 23, 2012) —The American Indiana Resource Center and the Council of Indian Students will be sponsoring a performance by Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers.

The performance is set for Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Beaux Arts Ballroom in the Hobson Memorial Union on the Bemidji State campus.  There will also be interactive workshops for Bemidji State and Northwest Technical College students.  The workshops will be 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. in the AIRC Gathering Place on Feb. 9.  Both events are free.

Yazzie, an international lecturer, educator, performer, and world champion fancy dancer, was raised on the Meskwaki Indian Settlement in central Iowa and began dancing at the age of seven.  Throughout his childhood, Yazzie was instructed on the traditions of the Meskwaki people, including the flamboyant and energetic fancy dance and the Northern Plains style of singing.

As a dancer and singer, Yazzie has performed throughout North America as well as South America and Europe. His current solo show, “Native Pride Dancer,” balances entertainment with education and features the high-energy Fancy Dance.  Formed in 2003 and directed by Yazzie, the Native Pride Dancers strive to educate and entertain audiences of all ages throughout the world on the beauty, skill, and majesty of American Indian music and dance.

For more information about the performance contact Tori Dahlke at the AIRC at (218) 755-2032.