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A bit of history was made earlier this summer when 22 year-old Lisa Odjig became the first female in the seven-year history of the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix, to place second in the adult division. In so doing, she took home $1,000 and a championship satin jacket.
Sponsored by The Heard Museum, the contest attracts quality competitors who have really impressed organizers said Gina Laczko, the Education Services Manager at the museum.
"We were very excited about Lisa . . . just a knockout performer," she exclaimed. "It's really incredible for her to place in her first year of competition here."
Laczko said the competition organizers "feel very honored that so many extraordinary dancers have continually made it to this contest."
This year's winner (of $2,000 and a trophy) was Derrick Davis. He is a Hopi-Choctaw from the Hopi Reservation who lives in Phoenix and tours around the world as a dance artist with the Native American band, Clan-Destine. The band was formed by Delaware-Mohawk artist Dave Montour.
To qualify for the finals in the world hoop dance contest, explained Odjig, participants had to make the top ten. She was thrilled when she not only made the top ten but also the top three.
"It's something I've been waiting to do for a long time," she said.
She learned the dance about five years ago and credits her Uncle Gordie Odjig for urging her to give it a try and encouraging her to continue.
"He said I was a natural," she said. "I picked it up so fast. I was doing exhibitions before a year had passed by."
She views her talent as a gift from the Creator.
The competition is judged on creativeness, presentation, rhythm, showmanship, speed and timing. Lisa felt her strengths lay in the area of her natural ability, smooth execution, speed and rhythm. Going into the competition, she said.
"I just wanted to relax, enjoy myself, have fun and do it, and it worked.!"
When asked what she found most difficult about the contest, Lisa claimed she "enjoyed it so much, it wasn't difficult."
Two years ago, she placed third in a hoop dance competition at the Toronto Skydome Powwow.
Already, she's been to Italy, France, Holland, and Korea. She's has shared stages with Buffy Ste. Marie and Susan Aglukark, among others. She occasionally performs with the North American Indian Dance Theatre from New York.
Lisa is already thinking about next year's competition. She has a plan that she hopes will take her even further in the standings.
"I'd try to train harder," she said.
She is the daughter of Margaret Ann Jackson and Franklin Fisher Odjig, was born in Sudbury, and raised on Manitoulin Island. She has been living on the Tsuu T'ina Reserve for the past year and-a-half and loves the area.
Lisa can be contacted through her agent at (403)-230-0331.
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