On August 17, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Nalani Lopez (Onk Akimel O’odham/San Carlos Apache) shared two San Carlos Apache dances at the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival, presented by Poeh Cultural Center, at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Lopez was joined by her grandparents, the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, with whom she occasionally performs. The two dances she demonstrated were the Apache rainbow dance and the Apache bow and arrow dance.

According to Lopez, the rainbow dance is done after the rain to give thanks for bringing rain to the land.

“Since we live in the desert, this is important to us,” said Lopez.

She said that the bow and arrow dance is a tribute to the veterans who served our country in the military.

“I am grateful [that] I have the opportunity to learn both Apache and O’odham dances,” said Lopez. “Dancing connects me to both identities.”

Lopez invites everyone to attend next year’s festival. She said that she looks forward to coming to Pathways with her family every year because of the abundance of creativity and positivity shared by Native artists.