99: Honoring My Ancestors — Tony Duncan

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Tony Duncan — who is also known as Yellow Bird Dancing. Tony is</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">an award-winning Native American flute player and hoop dancer who has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Tonight Show, and even The White House. As a hoop dancer, Duncan is among the best in the world, winning the title of “World Champion Hoop Dancer” five times. Duncan is also an award-winning flute player, who is currently signed to the largest and oldest Native American music label, Canyon Records.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Duncan, dance is more than artistic body movement — it is a way to keep his family’s rich history alive. Duncan considers it an honor to be able to use dance tell his family’s stories and educate others on the lives and ways of Native Americans. On the podcast, Tony goes into detail on his unique type of dance, discusses the symbolism involved in every aspect of his performance, and lays out his entrepreneurial journey — one filled with grit, determination, and family pride.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I try to tell people that Native Americans are very very much still here. Our culture is very strong — very vibrant. Our stories are still being told. Our ceremonies are still being done. That's a testament to the strength and resilience of our ancestors."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"One of the main reasons why I dance is because there's a great need to educate people on the true history of Native American people."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"For every occasion, there's a song. And for every song, there's a dance... When you're really into your dance form, you get lost of it. You go into another place — another realm."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Every day is an opportunity to take a step forw