Tribal Dancer & Educator
Dana is a champion traditional Native American dancer, arena director, and educator representing both the Menominee Nation of Northeastern Wisconsin and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation of Mayetta, Kansas.
2021 World Woodland Championship
Theatre Dance Director & Educator
“The only way a culture dies is when people allow it to die. We would like ours to continue. We are putting these dances on tape for the children to learn properly how they are performed.” - Mani Boyd, Menominee Tribal elder
Dana’s lifelong commitment to preserving and revitalizing the woodland tribal dances of the Menominee began with a recorded video of tribal dances released in the 1980s. The recording left a profound impact on him, as he realized many of the dances captured on film were no longer being performed. This awakening sparked his dedication to ensuring that traditional knowledge and cultural expression remain alive for future generations.
Through Woodland Heart, a nonprofit organization working within the Menominee territory, Dana inspires indigenous people to strengthen their tribal identity through the gift of song and dance. One of his life goals is to create a theatre production that honors the traditional social dances of the Menominee people while weaving in contemporary powwow dance styles. This unique fusion celebrates the enduring spirit of the Great Lakes woodland identity while giving the next generation of singers and dancers a powerful platform to express themselves creatively in today’s world.
As a respected tribal culture bearer, Dana is deeply committed to living and teaching tribal values in modern-day life. His work emphasizes the development of practical, 21st-century educational programs that preserve, share, and pass on traditional knowledge systems. By blending cultural teachings with innovative approaches, Dana empowers communities to remain rooted in heritage while embracing the future.
Men’s Northern Traditional Dance
Tribal Powwow Dancer
From the time Dana could walk, powwow dancing has been a guiding rhythm in his life. Surrounded by tribal people who carried the songs, teachings, and stories of generations, he grew up immersed in a living legacy of culture. Each step he took as a child connected him to ancestors who had danced before him, and deepened his understanding of this powerful artistic expression rooted in tribal traditions.
As he grew into a young adult, Dana’s love for dance expanded beyond family and community celebrations. A turning point came when he encountered the artistry of the world-renowned American Indian Dance Theatre and Peter Buffett’s Spirit Dance. These experiences opened his eyes to the power of performance as not only cultural expression, but also as a bridge—sharing Indigenous traditions with audiences across the world while keeping them alive for future generations.
Dana has since devoted himself to mastering his craft, specializing in Men’s Northern Traditional and Woodland style dance. Known for his strength, precision, and storytelling, he used these dance styles to reflect the values of respect, resilience, and connection to the natural world. For Dana, dancing is both a personal expression and a responsibility—an act of honoring his heritage while carrying it forward.
Through his artistic journey, Dana hopes to inspire pride in Native traditions and foster understanding across cultures. Every time he steps into the circle, he carries not only his own passion, but also the voices of his ancestors and the belief that the tribal songs and dances will continue to live for generations to come.