We’ve been sitting on this news for weeks, and now we can finally share it. Native Pride Productions, led by Larry Yazzie, is returning to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and this year the parade celebrates 100 years.
Last year, so many of you watched, cheered and shared when Native Pride danced down the parade route. This year they’re bringing even more: dancers from every generation, from the youngest to the elders, representing Eagle, Fancy, Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Northern Traditional, Woodland, Applique, Chicken and Horse Dance styles. Local tribal representation will also be along the route, recognizing the original people of this land.
Kelli and I will be traveling with Native Pride Productions as their media crew. Leading up to the parade and on parade day, look for videos, photos, livestreams and behind-the-scenes coverage here on Powwows.com and across our social channels.
From our couch to the parade route
Last year, we covered Native Pride’s parade appearance from our couch. Larry and his team sent us photos and videos throughout the day, and we shared them with you as fast as they came in. That coverage was seen millions of times.
This year, we’ll be on the ground with Larry and the dancers. Thank you for watching last year and making that possible. We can’t wait to show you this one from the spot.
A celebration of gratitude, culture and the next generation
Native Pride dancer Charles Robinson shared what this year’s performance will honor:
To celebrate 100 years of Macy’s bringing families together, Native Pride Productions will honor the richness and diversity of our tribal nations through a celebration of gratitude, culture, and the next generation.
Our young dancers will take center stage alongside performers portraying the animals that have played an important role in shaping our Native Nations. Surrounded by adults and elders, this special presentation will represent the strength of our traditions, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the continued passing down of our culture, teachings, and values to future generations.
Charles Robinson, Native Pride Productions
Meet the dancers
Sixteen dancers will represent Native Pride Productions at the 100th parade:
- Larry YazzieEagle
- Samarra YazzieWomen’s Applique
- Charles RobinsonMen’s Northern Traditional
- Siouxsan RobinsonWomen’s Northern Traditional
- Nanaiya Owns Different HorsesWomen’s Fancy
- Imaiya Owns Different HorsesWomen’s Jingle
- Aianli Owns Different HorsesWomen’s Fancy
- Tashka Owns Different HorsesBoys’ Fancy
- Misu Bear DolezalMen’s Woodland
- Baby Wambli DolezalYoung Woodland dancer
- Wakiya DolezalApplique, Jingle and Fancy
- Mu RobertsHorse Dance
- Malia BomberryFancy Shawl
- Tia RobertsFancy Shawl
- Jordan YazzieChicken
- Willow StandingApplique · Sac & Fox Princess
About Larry Yazzie and Native Pride Productions
Larry Yazzie is the founder and artistic director of Native Pride Productions, based in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a two-time World Champion Fancy Dancer, a Men’s Northern Traditional dancer and an Eagle Dancer. Larry grew up on the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa, where he learned the traditional ways of his ancestors.
He founded Native Pride Productions to give back to his community and to the world. His performances have taken him to the Olympics, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, and to audiences in Japan, Australia, France, Ireland, Brazil, Guatemala, Moldova and Jordan. An international lecturer, dancer and educator, he also plays the flute and hand drum and sings, and he is known as one of the nation’s leading experts on Native American dance.
Through performances, artist residencies, workshops and classroom instruction, Native Pride Productions shares Indigenous cultural traditions with people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of this year’s parade dancers are young people learning those traditions from the elders dancing beside them. Learn more about Larry Yazzie.
Two Southerners headed north
Disclosure: Patagonia provided some of the cold-weather gear mentioned in this post. This post also contains affiliate links to Patagonia and Amazon. If you buy through them, Powwows.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Here’s something you should know about Kelli and me: we’re from the South, and this is our first trip ever to New York City. We’re staying a few extra days to see the city (yes, we already have our Wicked tickets). Late November in New York means standing outside for hours in the cold before dawn, and we did not own the gear for that.
That’s where Patagonia came in. They hooked us up with cold-weather gear, and we’ve already put it to the test. Kelli has been wearing hers in Europe for the past week or so, and I wore mine up in South Dakota, where it was definitely colder than I’m used to. We’re excited to bring it to New York. Thank you to Patagonia for supporting our coverage.
If you’re heading out to a parade, a winter powwow or anywhere cold this season, check out Patagonia for your gear.
What we’ll be wearing
Men’s R1® Thermal Full-Zip HoodyPatagoniaShop at Patagonia
Nano Puff® JacketPatagoniaShop at Patagonia
The gear we’re carrying
Here’s the kit we’re bringing to cover the parade: a full-frame Sony setup for photos, a pocket gimbal camera and smart glasses for quick video, wireless mics for interviews, and a power bank to keep it all running in the cold.
Sony Alpha a7R III AFull-frame mirrorless camera bodyView on Amazon
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GMFull-frame standard zoom lensView on Amazon
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS IIFull-frame telephoto zoom lensView on Amazon
Insta360 Luna Ultra8K pocket gimbal vlogging cameraView on Amazon
Meta Ray-Ban (Gen 2) WayfarerAI glasses for hands-free videoView on Amazon
DJI Mic MiniWireless mics, 2 transmitters + receiverView on Amazon
Movo VXR10On-camera shotgun micView on Amazon
Anker 20,000mAh Power BankBuilt-in USB-C cableView on Amazon
How to follow along
From now through parade day, we’ll be sharing the whole journey with you:
- Livestreams leading up to the parade, including the night before.
- Dancer spotlights introducing each Native Pride dancer and the style they carry.
- Behind the scenes from New York: travel, preparation and parade morning.
- Parade-day photos and video right here on Powwows.com.
Follow Powwows.com
For more personal updates from the trip, you can also follow me, Paul Gowder, on Facebook.
Use #NativePrideAtMacys to share your own watch party, and drop a comment below to tell us whether you’re watching from home or from the parade route.
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