'He made people smile in awe': Celebrated hoop dance champion Nakotah LaRance passes on

Tuesday, July 14, 2020  

Tributes are pouring in from Indian Country following the passing of Nakotah LaRance, a champion Pueblo, Hopi, Navajo and Assiniboine hoop dancer whose performances and bright attitude brought joy to audiences throughout the world.

Nakotah died on Sunday at Ohkay Owingeh, a Pueblo community in northern New Mexico. He was just a few weeks shy of his 31st birthday.

"We are heartbroken," older sister Nizhoni Denipah told Indianz.Com on Monday. "He passed yesterday in a tragic accident."

Nakotah began hoop dancing at a young age, having been encouraged by his family to carry on a tradition maintained by numerous tribes in the U.S. and Canada. His father, Steve LaRance, a Hopi and Assiniboine silversmith, has always been one of his biggest champions.

"He is most widely known for his accomplishments in the world of Hoop Dance, a magician of hoops," the elder LaRance wrote in a social media post on Sunday evening. "He would make people forget their sorrows, and bring both smiles and tears of joy with the magic of his hoop dance."

The strong support led Nakotah to great achievements. He was a six-time title winner of the World Championship of Hoop Dance, which opened doors for him to share his talents with audiences far and wide. In addition to performing all over the U.S., he toured with the famed Cirque Du Soleil troupe.

"Nakotah touched people around the world," said Denipah, a physician.

Among the many that shared in Nakotah's joy was the U.S. Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. Then-Ambassador Keith Harper, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and his wife, Shelby Settles Harper, a citizen of the Caddo Nation, welcomed a group of hoop dancers to the U.S. embassy there in July 2014.

"One of the inspiring things about this is this is about passing on sacred and beautiful dance from older generations to younger generations," Ambassador Harper said at the time, reflecting on Nakotah's role not just as a performer but as an instructor for the Pueblo of Pojoaque Youth Hoop Dancers.

"You filled us with pride when you visited a Geneva, Switzerland and shared the hoop dance with people from all over the world," Shelby added in a tribute to Nakotah on Monday. A second cultural performance, featuring Nakotah and other dancers, took place at the embassy in July 2016.

Closer to home, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in New Mexico hosted several of Nakotah's hoop dance performances. He was due to participate in an event at the facility, located in Santa Fe, the state capital, this week.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nakotah 'Lomasohu' LaRance," the museum said on Monday, referring to Nakotah's Hopi name, which means "Handsome Star."

"We were honored to host Nakotah and the LaRance family on several occasions," the museum said. "We extend our love and our sincere condolences to the LaRance family."

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Florida, owned by the Seminole Tribe, said it was "heartbroken" to learn of Nakotah's passing. He had performed at the facility's American Indian Arts Celebration in 2014, 2016 and 2018, "where he dazzled our audience with his powerful hoop dance demonstrations."

"He was an incredibly talented, kind soul who left a mark on all those who had the pleasure of meeting him," Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki said in a post on social media on Monday.

The Phoenix Indian Center in Arizona featured Nakotah at its annual Silver and Turquoise Ball in 2016, He "stole the show" by combining traditional hoop dance moves with those inspired by hip-hop culture, a post read.

"He made people smile in awe," the center said on Monday.

Mindful of COVID-19 pandemic protocols, Nakotah's family is laying their loved one to rest in a traditional Hopi and Pueblo manner. A public memorial will be scheduled sometime in the future, his father said on Sunday.

"His love of life was infectious. He was an individual you could just meet, and be the best of friends 2 minutes later," his father wrote.

"Above all, he was the most kind hearted human being, with no hate in his heart, he would give you the clothes off his back," Steve LaRance said.

For those wishing to further Nakotah's legacy, donations cah be made to the Lightning Boy Foundation. The non-profit was established in honor of Valentino Tzigiwhaeno Rivera, a Pueblo of Pojoaque hoop dancer who passed away at the age of 8 in 2016. Valentino, known to family and friends as Tino, took part in the 2016 trip to the U.S Mission in Geneva.

Nakotah's survivors include:

Nakotah LaRance, a champion hoop dancer who traveled the world performing with Cirque du Soleil, has died from a fall at age 30. “His risk-taking in the hoop arena resulted in unforgettable performances, and he will forever remain a fan favorite.” https://t.co/rqzAC4UjX3

— Indian Country Today (@IndianCountry) July 14, 2020

LaRance won nine world champion titles for hoop dance and taught classes at a nonprofit https://t.co/8mmSLRJ5oV

— Santa Fe Reporter (@SantaFeReporter) July 13, 2020

What a joy it was to watch him dance! Crying hard for four days as we send Nakotah LaRance home. Eskweli Lomasohu, pahsning’wuh. https://t.co/7rZ0OXmK2H

— Patty Talahongva (@WiteSpider) July 14, 2020

Absolutely heartbroken that we lost 9x world champion Hoop Dancer, Nakotah LaRance, age 30. He was very loved, and very talented. Natives need support now more than ever, especially our youth. We need positive role models like Nakotah. https://t.co/RDbYu9slfR…

— An Immigrant (@USARaconteur) July 14, 2020

Nakotah LaRance taking his traditions of hoop dancing into the 21st century. R.I.P, eternal dancer.https://t.co/E1Q4SVSXwb

— LillyandGish (@LillyandGish) July 14, 2020

Our friend, Nakotah LaRance, is no longer among us. My condolences to the parents Marian and Steve and all Hopi nation. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/ixZTjpZ3hL

— Maria of Croatia (@mariaofcroatia) July 13, 2020

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Hoop Dancer Nakotah LaRance (30) Dies LaRance, 30, won nine world champion titles for hoop dance and taught classes at a nonprofit Nakotah LaRance. "His greatest love was being a mentor of Hoop Dance to the Native Youth. He guided each child to find the beat of their own life path and the pride of their native culture," Steve LaRance, Nakotah's father; "Our family plans to send him home in our traditional Pueblo/Hopi way." @the Lightning Boy Foundation LaRance, has also been on several TV shows, acted in movies and mini-series, including Steven Spielberg's Into the West and performed for several years as a principal dancer for Cirque Du Soleil.

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