Sixkiller-Sinquah wins title at 30th hoop-dancing championship

PHOENIX

Scott Sixkiller-Sinquah, Gila River Pima/Hopi, of Phoenix, earned 230 points out of a possible 250 to win his first adult world title at the 30th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest on Feb. 8 and 9 at the Heard Museum.

Sixkiller earned a spot in the finals after two preliminary rounds of competitions and took home the grand title and $4,000. Sixkiller faced 22 of the best hoop dancers in his division including past champions Dallas Arcand, Cree/Sioux/Metis, Tyrese Jensen, Diné/Pima-Maricopa, and Tony Duncan, San Carlos Apache/Arikara/Hidasta.

Sixkiller, 26, outshone the other contestants in precision, timing, rhythm, showmanship, creativeness and speed. Jensen, the 2017 champion, placed second in the Adult Division with 227 points and James Jones, Tall Cree First Nation, finished third with 223 points.

For the 30th consecutive year the Heard Museum hosted the World Championship Hoop Dance contest, a competition that grows every year. This year, more than 5,000 people came to support 97 hoop dancers representing more than three dozen tribes from the U.S. and Canada.

The Teen Division was won by Nedallas Hammil, Diné, from Phoenix, who faced 14 contestants.

The Senior Division title was taken by Moontee Sinquah, Hopi/Tewa/Choctaw, from Mesa, Ariz. Sinquah is the father of adult champion Scott Sixkiller-Sinquah.

A record number of youth competitors showed up – 33 in total. First place went to four-time Youth Division champion, Kailayne Jensen, Diné/Maricopa, from Mesa. Jensen is the daughter of 2019 Senior Champion Lane Jensen and the sister of second place adult winner, Tyrese Jensen.

Eighteen participants were in the Tiny Tots division (age 0 to 6 years), which included a shared cash prize of $500 sponsored by the Lightning Boy Foundation.

The World Championship was split into five divisions — tiny tots (5 and younger), youth (6 to 12), teen (13 to 17), adult (18 to 39) and senior (40 and up). Contestants were judged by a panel that gave out points based on speed, agility, timing and precision.

The contest was emceed for the 28th year by beloved powwow and hoop dance legend Dennis Bowen Sr., Seneca, with support from arena director Eric Manuelito Jr., Diné.

World Hoop Championship results

Adult Division (18-39) Champion:

Scott Sixkiller-Sinquah, Gila River Pima/Hopi, 233, from Phoenix. 2nd place: Tyrese Jensen, Diné/Pima Maricopa, 227, from Winslow, 3rd place: James Jones, Tall Cree First Nation, 223, from Vancouver, B.C. 4th place: Sampson Sixkiller-Sinquah, Gila River Pima/Hopi/Cherokee, from Phoenix. 5th place: Talon Duncan, San Carlos, Apache/Arikara/Hidastsa/Mandan), from Mesa. 6th place: Patrick Willie, Diné, from Orem, Utah.

Senior Division Champion:

Moontee Sinquah, Hopi/Tewa/Choctaw, 218, Second Mesa, Ariz. 2nd place: Lisa Odjig, Obijwe/Odawa/Pottawatomi 217, from Toronto. 3rd place: Terry Goedel, Yakama, 208, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Teen Division Champion:

Nedallas Hammill, Diné, 205, from Phoenix. 2nd place: Josiah Enriquez, Pueblo of Pojaque, from Sante Fe. 3rd place: Joseph Romero, Pueblo of Pojaque/Nambé, from Sante Fe.

Youth Division Champion:

Kailayne Jensen, Diné, 202, from Dilkon, Ariz. 2nd place: Isaiah George, Santa Clara Pueblo, from Espanola, N.M. 3rd place: JaiP’o Harvier, Pueblo of Pojoaque, from Espanola, N.M.

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