Youth Dancers Perform at Assisted Living Center

On December 21, Comanche Nation Youth Dancers performed at the Comanche Nation Assisted Living Center in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Teresa Lopez, the founder of Comanche Nation Youth Dancers, said events such as these are part of their outreach, where they are invited to dance. She said families at the events are vital because they know the culture and what they’re about.

“They're educating others about who they are, where they're going, and where they're going to be at in the next 5-10 years. I'm sure they'll still be dancing,” Lopez said.

She said her goals are to reach out to more children to get them involved with the Comanche Nation Youth Dancers.

“I started about 30 years ago. We started out in the mall. I was doing a substance abuse program,” Lopez said.“It was a drug-free activity. I started out at the Dillard's Court way back when. I had three dancers, one singer, and I always say, ‘If I have one or two, we're going to show you. We're going to show you what we're about.’”

She said the program grew, and they have about 25 students who dance.

“This is really neat that we've been able to carry it on from the drug-free activities to now our culture, keeping it alive, and by keeping our culture alive, by staying away from substance abuse,” Lopez said. This is what I try to instill in our youth. We have to have positive bodies positive thinking. When we go out there and dance, I always tell them, ‘When you come with me, we have to be in a good way. You can't bring it into the audience with us. You can't bring it into our little circle that we have when we dance. You leave all of that behind so that you have a positive mindset when you come in, a positive self-esteem.’”

Lopez said she’d had a lot of positive changes in attitudes, including getting out of shyness.

Cloth Dancer for Comanche Nation Youth Dancers Sarah Pohawpatchoko said she’s been dancing since she was little and loved learning more about her culture.

“Growing up around my aunties and all them, they always pushed me out there to go dance, so I kind of just grew into it, and I loved it,” she said. “As growing up, learning more about my culture, I loved it even more.”

Pohawpatchoko said she likes being a role model for the younger kids.
 

“I love being able to be an example and show them the ways of our culture and everything,” she said.

Pohawpatchoko said it’s essential for the younger kids to learn to dance.

“Them being involved and learning about their culture as well, because then it gets carried on after generation after generation as well,” she said.

Pohawpatchoko said the kids are very involved but would love to see elders come out and dance if they can; however, she enjoys powwows.

“My favorite part is seeing everybody come together, seeing everybody keeping the culture alive. I love everybody coming out to dance and everything,” she said. “Food's always good, too.”

Those interested in becoming part of the Comanche Nation Youth Dancers can contact them on Facebook or text Lopez at 580-647-6411.