Comprised of members of several tribal nations in the United States, the award-winning Kevin Locke Trio performs traditional Native American dance while striving to raise awareness of “the oneness we all share as human beings.”

The indigenous peoples of North America use the arts to connect with reality. In traditional native culture, the arts offer a chance to focus on life, maintain balance, and understand the continuum of past, present, and future. All significant moments are marked with song or dance—birth, death, marriage, maturity, harvest, midnight, morning, and more. The traditional arts are part of a community expression of life, providing a bridge between generations and across cultures.

Through a dramatic reconstruction of traditional dances and music, this program will offer insight into the connection between people, animals, and the natural elements of our environment.

*Doors close 30 minutes after event begins.

*No late entry.

Kevin Locke

Kevin Locke is known throughout the world as the preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute and an inspiring hoop dancer, traditional storyteller, and cultural ambassador. 25 years ago Kevin led the revival of the indigenous flute tradition, which had nearly become extinct in the United States. He has since recorded 13 albums and performed in more than 80 countries. Each year Kevin conducts hundreds of presentations, more than two-thirds of which are workshops in schools, community centers, and festivals. His work has earned wide acclaim, including the “Living Indian Treasures Award” from the South Dakota government and “Master Traditional Artist” from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts. Kevin is based in South Dakota, with roots in the Lakota and Anishinaabe native tribes.

Edmond Tate Nevaquaya

Edmond Tate Nevaquaya is a champion singer, brilliant traditional dancer, and award-winning visual artist known for his studies of American Indian culture. He began playing the flute at age thirteen and learned to respect traditional indigenous art from his father, Doc Tate Nevaquaya, a renowned Comanche artist and traditional flutist. Edmond has since shared his talents around the world, performing at celebrated events including the 1980 “Night of the First Americans” in Washington, D.C. and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Edmond divides his time between Oklahoma and Michigan, and his heritage is Comanche and Choctaw.

Monica Raphael

Monica Raphael was raised in the powwow arena and has traveled the world sharing her talents as a Native American powwow dancer, artist, educator, speaker, and youth advocate. She has won numerous international competitions as a dancer performing fancy shawl, jingle dress, and southern buckskin dances. Monica is also a renowned bead worker, textile artist, and seamstress, making competition dance outfits for some of the most talented powwow ensembles. Monica lives in Michigan, with roots in the Ottawa, Chippewa, Potawatomi, and Sicangu Lakota native tribes.

Arts Midwest is a nonprofit cultural organization that represents nine states in the upper-middle region of the United States. Through its signature exchange initiatives, Arts Midwest has cultivated a strong capacity for managing complex global arts programs. Arts Midwest has more than fifteen years of exchange experience with the People’s Republic of China.

Funded by the U.S. Embassy, Beijing, with additional support from the South Dakota Arts Council, the Native American/China Exchange features distinguished Native American artists conducting workshops and performances in Kunming and Beijing from March 2-15, 2014.