Indigenous Arts Night: A Community Experience

On November 14, 2023, the Underground at Yale’s Schwarzman Center transformed into a haven of creativity, celebrating the richness of Indigenous arts in various forms—music, comedy, visual art, dance, poetry, and film.

Presented by the Native American Cultural Center (NACC) at Yale, Yale’s 3rd Annual Indigenous Arts Night unfolded diverse narratives, captivating performances, and profound reflections.

The evening unfolded as Emcee Jairus Rhoades, Yale College ’26, set the tone with his eclectic charm, and welcomed the audience with a traditional Samoan sound off. His infectious energy infused the space with a sense of authenticity and openness, inviting everyone to embrace the forthcoming array of talents.

Next, Indigiprov, Yale's undergraduate Native Improv group, engaged the audience in whimsical sketches. Among them featured Beyoncé, Harry Potter, and Napoleon at a private dinner party, unfolding in a world-famous bean shop.

Pratima Garg, Yale School of Environment ‘24, then mesmerized the audience with an enchanting, introspective dance. Her every step echoed a rhythmic cadence, the jingling of bangles capturing the essence of India. Through her artistic movements and poetic prose, she conveyed a journey of human reflection, articulating, "The capacity to feel and perceive is all internal [and] I am just a reflection [of the world]." Her words, a poignant observation on the complexity yet simplicity of human nature and the world we inhabit.

The audience was then transported across the vast expanse of the Pacific, and welcomed to the Manoa Valley of Hawaii, with a dance that evoked a spirit of tranquility. Helen Shanefield’s, Yale College ’26, relaxed performance, accompanied by soft singing and the gentle strumming of a ukulele, infused the room with an air of peaceful bliss.

The evening continued to unfold with an improvised performance by Erin Nishi, Yale College ’25, and Rhoades on the violin and piano respectively. The piece was a whirlwind of sonics that traversed the room in an intricate and dynamic softness and intensity. Each combination of notes stirring emotion to life from deep within us. Next Kyle Vanhatten, Yale College ’25, and Reid Hightower, Yale College ‘26, with charm and comedic timing, whisked the audience away to Bikini Bottom, capturing the whimsical relationship of SpongeBob and Squidward through heartfelt song.

Next, Maya Foster's, Yale Graduate School of Arts & Sciences ’27, spoken word poetry echoed throughout the Underground as she described the intricacies of a modern quest for identity amidst a world that often obstructs such introspective journeys. Her words resonated with raw emotion, reflecting on a lineage of lost people and the awareness of being present in a clouded society: "I am here but I am aware."

Finally, Naima Blanco-Norberg, Yale College ’25, concluded the evening with a short film titled "Dreams." Through visually captivating motifs, imagery, and Indigenous undertones, she slowly revealed the meaning behind her name, the "midnight sun," offering a glimpse into a deeply personal and evocative dreamscape.

As the night drew to a close, the echoes of performances lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the collective soul of the audience—a testament to the power of creative expression and the universality of human experience. In the words of Matthew Makomenaw, director of the NACC, “Indigenous Arts Night was a wonderful showcase of talent and community coming together.”