Kenneth Shirley – Dance/USA Artist Fellow

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Image Description: Kenneth, a brown-skinned man with a crooked smile, is wearing a full set of traditional Native regalia. The beadwork is detailed in bright red and turquoise patterns, and he wears a head roach made from porcupine hair with eagle feathers rising from the back. His face is painted with bold red and white designs, set against his brown skin, giving him a powerful and stoic presence. The beadwork on his headband shimmers, holding the feathers firmly in place. Photo by Atiba Jefferson.

Kenneth Shirley

he/him

Phoenix, Arizona | Navajo Nation

Kenneth Shirley (Diné/Navajo) is a dancer, filmmaker, and cultural leader dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Indigenous representation through performance and storytelling. In 2015, at just 19 years old, Kenneth founded Indigenous Enterprise from his mother’s living room in Phoenix, Arizona. What began as a small powwow dance group has grown into an internationally recognized collective that has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Super Bowl LVII, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A champion powwow dancer, Kenneth specializes in Men’s Fancy Dance while also serving as a visionary director and creative collaborator. His work bridges tradition and innovation, blending live dance with film, fashion, and multimedia storytelling. In 2023, he co-creative directed a Nike SB x Born X Raised campaign honoring Indigenous culture, bringing powwow traditions into new spaces and redefining Native representation in mainstream media.

Kenneth’s mission is deeply personal. His grandfather, Kenneth White Sr., survived the assimilation era and was punished in boarding school for speaking Navajo. Today, Kenneth ensures that the traditions once suppressed are now celebrated on global stages. His message is clear and unwavering: We are still here.

Learn more about Kenneth Shirley:

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Image Description: A group of people wearing traditional Native regalia dance on a dirt patch, framed by a sunset over a city skyline. The beadwork on their clothing is detailed in bright colors and patterns. In the center of the photo, a few people gather together around a red drum. The others dance surrounding them, their beadwork and ribbons flaring outward and echoing their movement. The photo is from a promotional series where the brand “Born X Raised” presented a collection of garments, honoring the legacy of Indigenous peoples while also advocating for more Indigenous representation in the modern-day fashion industry. Photo by Atiba Jefferson.
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Image Description: A group of people wearing traditional Native regalia pose for a photo, framed by a sunset over a city skyline. The beadwork on their clothing is detailed in bright colors and patterns. They gather around a red drum with the words “Born X Raised” and hold a black t-shirt with writing on it. The photo is from a promotional series where the brand “Born X Raised” presented a collection of garments, honoring the legacy of Indigenous peoples while also advocating for more Indigenous representation in the modern-day fashion industry. Photo by Atiba Jefferson.
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Image Description: Kenneth is captured mid-performance of a men’s Fancy Dance in traditional Native regalia. He stands on his right leg, lifting his bent left leg to the side. His right arm is bent at the elbow, pointing to the left as he extends his left arm long to the side. He carries ribbons in both hands that are in movement, giving a sense of his energy. Behind him, the sun sets over a city skyline. Photo by Atiba Jefferson.
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Image Description: Kenneth is captured mid-performance of a men’s Fancy Dance. His feet move in quick, intricate steps while his body spins. The large feather bustles on his back, along with the beadwork and ribbons of his regalia, flare outward in motion, creating a sense of energy, rhythm, and celebration. Behind him, the sun sets over a city skyline. Photo by Atiba Jefferson.

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