Another Fort McDowell Round Dance is in the books! This was my second time attending and documenting this event, and it’s inspiring to see how much growth I’ve made as a videographer over the past year when I compare my footage.
This round dance was organized by the Fort McDowell Youth Council, an incredible group of young leaders who take on responsibilities like planning events, collaborating with tribal elders and leaders, and preparing for college and career opportunities-all while serving their Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation community.
Parking was limited, but both admission and parking were free. Doors opened at 7pm, with singing starting around 7:30pm. About an hour into the event, the Youth Council provided a free meal for everyone-a thoughtful touch that added to the sense of community. Dinner included a turkey or ham sandwich, chips, an orange, and a choice of soda or water. Even though I’d already eaten, it was great to see the effort they put into feeding everyone.
The event took place in the basketball gym, with carpets laid out to create a central space for dancing. Four long tables were pushed together for the singers, seating 32 of them with their hand drums. Attendees could sit in the bleachers or bring their own camp chairs for a closer view.
A highlight of the round dance was Nathan Little Child Sr., who served as the stickman. His role was to guide the event by distributing sticks to the invited singers. Here’s how it worked: Nathan picked up five or six sticks from the table and handed them to one of the invited singers to lead a set of four songs. Each set begins with the lead singer performing the first song and leading the opening verses of the next three. For the remaining songs in the set, the lead singer could pass the lead to other singers, creating a sense of collaboration and teamwork.
Round dances vary in the number of invited singers, ranging from as few as five to as many as twenty, depending on the event organizers. This collaborative and communal process adds structure while celebrating the shared joy of singing and dancing. One of my favorite moments was hearing the singers softly undersing as they learned the next song-it was a beautiful backdrop to the MC’s announcements and added to the overall atmosphere.
This year’s round dance was a huge success. Experiencing these events through my camera always leaves me feeling grateful, and I could tell that everyone had a fantastic time. A big thank you to everyone who made this night possible-I’m already looking forward to next year!
P.S. I entered a raffle and won a pink ribbon skirt-perfect timing for a Christmas gift for my wife 🥰