Former Rocky Boy man to be head dancer at major ceremony

A former Rocky Boy man will be the head young man dancer at the Gathering of Nations April 25-27 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Gathering of Nations is the world's largest gathering of Native American and indigenous people. Tens of thousands of people from 700 tribes will take part in the ceremonies.

Julius Not Afraid, 28, said he hopes his role in the ceremonies will be more than just as an entertainer.

Instead, he said, the gathering should be seen as a celebration of Native American culture and an opportunity to teach people about rich native traditions.

He and the head young lady dancer will lead the grand entry into the proceedings.

Not Afraid left Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation recently to move to South Dakota, where he cares for his parents. He had attended Stone Child College and Montana State University-Northern.

While he was at Rocky Boy, he said, Douglas and Pauline Standing Rock adopted him as their son to help him with his dancing career.

For Not Afraid, the trip to New Mexico will be the culmination of a lifetime of commitment to native dancing.

"I have been dancing since my first movements," he said.

He has spent years dancing at celebrations throughout the United States and Canada.

The father of two young Box Elder School students, he said he is encouraged that young people are interested in preserving their heritage, and he hopes his role in the Gathering of Nations will spark further interest.

Celebrations such as Gathering of Nations serve as proof that "Native Americans still exist."

"We are not extinct," he said, "We get up daily, go to our jobs or go to school and do everything others do."

At the same time, he said, Native Americans are proud of their culture and traditions.

He enjoys dancing, and said many people do not realize how rigorous the training is.

"I have to treat my body well," he said. "I have to train as hard as I would for any sport."

He said he has to have a healthy diet to keep in shape.

He hopes young people will follow in his footsteps.

"I would like to encourage the young people to be proud of where they came from," he said. "And I would like to thank the elderly people for passing along their traditions."