Indigenous Enterprise Brings 'STILL HERE' to The Joyce Theater In September

Indigenous Enterprise, the distinguished Native American dance troupe renowned for translating the vibrancy of powwow traditions onto global stages, is set for a triumphant return to New York City this fall. The company will debut its new production, STILL HERE, for a limited engagement running from September 16th to September 21st at the prestigious Joyce Theater.

The show is a powerful fusion of cultural expression, utilizing champion dancers, live drumming and singing, and innovative animated storytelling to explore themes of Native resilience, memory, and enduring joy. The narrative structure of the production is built around the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, a central bond used to illuminate the transmission of intergenerational knowledge and the unbreakable continuity of Indigenous culture.

STILL HERE opens with a captivating animated short film, which was co-directed by filmmaker Stephanie Gumpel of Studio Novella. This segment effectively blends time-honored oral tradition with contemporary visual storytelling techniques. Ms. Gumpel's past experience includes notable projects with The LA Times and the renowned animation studio, ShadowMachine.

Prior to its official premiere at The Joyce Theater, Indigenous Enterprise will significantly intersect with the world of high fashion by participating in New York Fashion Week. On September 13th, the troupe will launch the STILL HERE x Assembly NYC collaboration at the Assembly's Lower East Side boutique.

This exclusive collection features apparel, including tees and hats, as well as exquisite jewelry designed by Native silversmith Lionel Thundercloud. The launch event is set to include a live dance performance by the troupe, creating a dynamic link between traditional Indigenous movement, contemporary design, and the broader global fashion industry.

Founded in 2015, Indigenous Enterprise has rapidly built an international reputation, having performed globally and appeared in major campaigns for brands such as Nike and the NBA. The troupe views its work as a dual mission: both the preservation of traditional practice and a forward-looking effort to cultivate new forms of cultural expression. By introducing powwow styles into high-profile venues like the Super Bowl and the Sydney Opera House, and now by embracing New York Fashion Week, the collective aims to radically expand the ways global audiences encounter and appreciate Indigenous culture.