Men's Native Showcase champion Ruben "Sonny" Little Head Jr.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
IRVING, Texas — Ruben Little Head, master of ceremonies at the Fancy Dance Showcase conducted during the Professional Bull Riders USA Global Cup at AT&T Stadium February 8 to the 10 said the event was successful and exciting despite cold temperatures.
He said the event was outdoors – earlier in the week it was 80 degrees but during the Showcase it dropped between 30 and 40 degrees but the dancers endured.
“I was very pleased and satisfied with the drums Wild Rose and Southern Style,” he said. Concerning the dancers, 11 of 15 registered men’s fancy dancers showed up and 13 of 14 registered women fancy dancers competed. “We had a good turnout and were still able to break each of the men and women dancers into three groups to compete. The dancers had five songs to dance to ranging from straight, Crow Hop, fast and medium. On Saturday, the dancers were narrowed to the top ten when they did solos as their names were drawn out of a hat so they didn’t know what group they were in. They also drew for what drum they were dancing to.
On Friday evening, singers and dancers came in before Team Wolves at Texas Live where the draw for bulls was announced. Bo Vocu, who served as arena director and assistant coach for Team Wolves, said it was amazing and it was such a hit, the PBR had dancers and singers come in prior to the first round of the Global Cup for Team Wolves.
Little Head said he’s thankful for the drums as they each brought nine singers. Judges Pancho Brady and Lisa Meeches made it by Joe Bointy didn’t so he was replaced with George Alexander, a long time fancy dancer. Orlando Begay took care of the tabulation. He said the sound system was amazing and was provided by the venue. Astro turf was also put down so the dancers didn’t have to dance on cement.
“For the most part everything was good,” Ruben continued but he said there’s definitely room for improvement. He asked participants to provide comment in case the event is again held in the future.
Both Vocu and Little Head said the Showcase was a big draw. Vocu said the PBR fans enjoyed watching the dancers especially when they brought in Team Wolves and the seven-minute intermission during the Sunday Global Cup finals. “It was pretty awesome,” Vocu said, “As we were walking down into the stadium you could hear the Native fans screaming at the bull riders.”
Ruben said they were all star struck being able to meet Team USA, taking pictures with Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, Ty Murray and Wiley Petersen. But as soon as they were done, “They wanted to take pictures with dancers and singers.”
Little Head said he’s very honored to have the opportunity to work with the PBR to have support and have everyone come together to make a successful event, “There was a lot of positivity, it was quick and straight fancy dance competition.” He said prayers were done on Friday prior to the start of the competition and again Sunday for the final day for safe travels and good sportsmanship.
Following are the results:
Women: Champion: Keya Clairmont – Lakota/Taos Pueblo from Denver Colo. Second Oke’tw’sha Roberts- Choctaw/ Nakoda from Lawrence Kansas. Third Amber Cleveland- Ho Chunk from Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. Fourth Desirae Redhouse- Navajo from Mesa, Ariz. Fifth Tanksi Clairmont- Lakota/ Dakota from Denver Colo. Sixth Laryn Yazzie- Meskwaki/ Cree from Maole Creek, Sask. Seventh Brennah Wahweotten- Prairie Band Potowatomi from Lawrence Kansas. Eighth Taylor Spoonhunter- Lakota/ Arapaho from Pine Ridge, S.D. Ninth Yakinee Sampson- Navajo from New Mexico and tenth Reagan Hill- Sac and Fox from Harrah, Okla.
Men: Champion- Xavier “Sonny” Little Head- Northern Cheyenne/ Navajo from Lawrence, Kansas. Second Canku One Star- Lakota/ Oneida from Lawrence, Kansas. Third Mitchell Baker-Three Affiliated / Cree from Newtown, N.D. Fourth Ryland Moore- Pawnee from Lawrence, Kansas. Fifth WarShield White- Three Affiliated/ Dakota from Newtown, N.D. Sixth Gary Olney- Yakama from White Swan, Wash. Seventh Isiah Bob- Navajo from Yatahey, N.M. Eighth Gabe Bullock- Alabama Coushatta from Livingston, Texas. Ninth Kyle Young Pine- Blood from Kanai, Alberta. Tenth Dyson Brown- Dakota from Canupa Wahkpa, Manitoba.