Documentary examines Indian culture through dances

Verona - The first-ever American-Indian produced documentary to air on a major television network will introduce audiences to the American Indian dance. <br><br>Producer Dan Jones, a Ponca from Oklahoma,

Saturday, April 12th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Verona - The first-ever American-Indian produced documentary to air on a major television network will introduce audiences to the American Indian dance.

Producer Dan Jones, a Ponca from Oklahoma, says ``The World of American Indian Dance'' is ``more than just a milestone.'' It will air next Saturday on NBC.

The hour-long documentary is the work of the Oneida Indian Nation's Four Directions Entertainment, the first film and television production company one hundred percent Indian-owned and operated.

Jones said American Indian dance is the continent's oldest cultural tradition. Many of the country's 560 tribes and nations host gatherings commonly called ``powwows.''

Powwows are growing in popularity as both cultural and sporting events with some attracting more than 50-thousand spectators, such as Crow Fair in Montana. Jones and his crew shot more than 40 hours of dance footage and interviews there.