A Native American man took to the streets of Milwaukee to dance away coronavirus sickness as part of a social distance powwow. The man in the video is Yotahalahkwatasé Flores, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and he was dancing away what he calls an emotional sickness caused by COVID-19. The video was part of the ongoing social distance powwow trend, where Native Americans across the nation share similar videos.
In the video, Flores says:
"We’re facing a lot of uncertainty. There’s things happening around us that we haven’t faced before…we’ve got to calm ourselves and remember that we are spiritual people. And that these ways, this dancing, and this way of life is something that will continue to be a strength, a source of resilience for us. Right now, it’s a time that we have to set the tone, have to set an example, for the future, for our younger generation. They’re watching us right now. Seeing what we’re doing, seeing how we act and conduct ourselves. We need to carry ourselves in the way that our ancestors did during times of uncertainty. When things were collapsing all around them, they remained steadfast and strong, and that’s what we need to do. Right now I want to share this dance with you, and we’re going to dance this sickness away. Dancing is a prayer. I wanted to share this with everyone because they’re sharing their dancing from all over Indian Country."
