JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This Thanksgiving, First Coast News is hearing from a Jacksonville man who shares his Native American culture around the world.
Larry Yazzie is the founder and artistic director of Native Pride Productions, a Jacksonville organization that spreads awareness and education about Native American culture. Yazzie said each tribe is unique.
"We need to let the world know that we still exist and that Native Americans here in our beautiful country still exist and we still practice our way of life as indigenous people here in the United States," Yazzie said.
Yazzie said Native Pride Productions preserves traditions through sharing songs, dance and storytelling at schools, festivals and museums. He shared videos with First Coast News from a trip to Australia in August.
“My job as a cultural educator is to go out and educate about our culture through schools and universities and festivals and public platforms where they allow me to share my song and dance and storytelling,” Yazzie said.
There are 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“It’s very important for me as a cultural educator to break down those stereotypes,” Yazzie said. “And some of those stereotypes is the typical Hollywood drum beat that you would hear in old Hollywood movies. We don’t dance to that and so my job at Native Pride Productions is to dispel some of those myths that’s been put upon us.”
Yazzie said much of the history of indigenous peoples has been glossed over and it’s important to spread awareness.
“I feel pride," Yazzie said after playing his flute. "I feel so proud of my culture, that we still are able to practice our way of life. Historically, the U.S. government tried to take that away from us.”
Learn more about Yazzie's performances here.