May 2026: Profiles - Ryedale Largo Carries Generations of Culture Forward Through Dance
- May 12
- 3 min read
For almost twenty years, Ryedale Largo has brought more than choreography to the stage. Each performance by the Navajo and Mescalero Dance Group shares family history, cultural stories, healing traditions, and the duty to keep Indigenous heritage alive.
Largo is a fourth-generation traditional dancer from Pinedale, New Mexico, and he has devoted his life to keeping these traditions alive. He does this not just for new audiences, but also for the next generation growing up in the culture.
“What became together is that in 1910, my grandparents started a dance group,” Largo explained during his interview with New Mexico Entertainment. “My grandpa started a dance group. He was known as a traditional healer.”
These healing traditions became closely tied to music, ceremony, and dance in the Navajo community. Over the years, the performances grew into the Navajo and Mescalero Dance Group, a family legacy lasting over a hundred years.
“Through 1910, we were known for our traditional old-style dances such as the basket dance and the traditional feather dance,” Largo said. “From that moment on to here, I’m the fourth generation to keep it in our family.”
As he nears his nineteenth year leading the group, Largo knows how important it is to bring these traditions into today’s world while staying true to their roots. “And for those that are seeing it for the first time, we bring an insight into who we are as Navajo people,” he shared.
Largo’s dedication goes beyond performing. He also teaches heritage, language, and culture at a middle school, helping young people learn about the traditions that shaped their communities. “Every day I have an opportunity to teach young ladies like these, the next generation to move our traditional dances forward,” he said.
This mentorship was clear during the interview, as Largo was joined by dancers Leandria Yazzie, Cariann, Angelina Yazzie, and Kyra Charlie. These young performers are helping to carry on the family and cultural legacy. However, being in the spotlight also brings responsibility. “We get asked to do a lot of events,” Largo explained. “And that responsibility is a lot to carry.”
Over the years, the group has performed well beyond New Mexico, with shows in places like New York City and Okeechobee, Florida. These performances have helped introduce people across the country to Navajo and Mescalero traditions.
“To bring a small community where I come from, Pinedale, New Mexico, a small Navajo reservation community, for me to showcase that on a big stage is a very big responsibility,” he said.
That sense of responsibility grew even stronger when the group won a New Mexico Music Award, becoming the first Navajo dance group to earn the honor. “Even winning the first time ever a New Mexico Music Award to bring it back to our small community,” Largo reflected.
The group’s performances stand out because these dances are more than entertainment. They are living parts of history and identity. Each movement, song, and ceremony connects people to traditions that have lasted for generations. At the same time, Largo welcomes the chance to teach audiences who may not know much about Indigenous cultural performances. “We’re always encouraged to tell the history,” he said.
The group will perform at the Gallup Summer Nightly Indian Dances in June and July, and they will also take part in the Intertribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup later this year. For Largo, these performances mean more than just being seen. They are about keeping traditions going.
In an era when many cultural traditions risk being lost or diluted over time, the Navajo and Mescalero Dance Group continues to serve as a bridge between generations—honoring the past while ensuring the culture moves forward through the voices and dancers of young people. Largo’s strong commitment is fueled by more than a hundred years of tradition. As he leads the Navajo and Mescalero Dance Group, it is clear that the power of culture and heritage will keep this legacy alive for generations.
To learn more about the Navajo and Mescalero Dance Group and their upcoming performances, follow Ryedale Largo on Facebook and Instagram.
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