TAT Lab Alumni Spotlight: Dan Nanamkin is a storyteller, dancer, teacher, musician, author, and activist, who uses the arts as a way to preserve Indigenous culture and create a bridge between modern life and tradition. He is the director of the Young Warrior Society, in the heart of the Colville Confederated Tribe in North Central Washington.
Teaching Superpower: “My superpowers in teaching are my flexibility and a strong vision,” he writes. “With the culture, history and land-based educational teachings passed to me from my elders and from our ancestors since time immemorial, I feel I have a sacred responsibility and duty to share with all youth and communities nationwide that may create the changes needed for the protection of our mother earth and the honoring of all life.”
Nanamkin’s great-grandmother, Mourning Dove, was a storyteller who became the first Native American woman to become a published author. Through Nanamkin’s family, she passed down tribal legends and creation stories dating back through many generations of people. “Our cultural teachings that were passed to me are very kind, respectful and compassionate,” writes Nanamkin. “I feel that learning respect, gratitude and to be connected is important to all people, in order to live a happier fuller life.”
“Traveling to schools and colleges across the land I often see Indigenous narratives and history left out of a majority of schools. So, with flexibility, a deep understanding of tribal protocols, and respect to traditions, I create an intriguing form of storytelling offering a fun and positive atmosphere that is exciting and informative for ALL youth in any community. I work diligently to preserve the best parts of our culture to encourage our children to see a ‘bigger picture' that may inspire them to live well and have respect for one another.”
Nanamkin is currently developing a new work titled ‘Since Time Immemorial” that blends his work as an educator, actor, pow wow dancer, Native regalia maker, and performance artist to create a theatrical stage performance that will be one-of-a-kind.
Learn more about Nanamkin’s multi-faceted work at: https://www.nanamkin.com/
