Cliff Matias is the founder and director of Redhawk Native American Arts Council, a Brooklyn-based organization established in 1995 that promotes and presents Native American arts and culture. Each June, the Council hosts the largest pow-wow in the northeast at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennet Field. The teaching, practice and performance of Native American dances is a major activity at pow-wow. Among the dances forms performed, for which Matias is known, is the Hoop Dance, featuring several hoops that the dancer crawls through, throws, catches, and strings together to create shapes as the dance progresses. Matias has years of experience teaching a variety of Native American dances, song and other cultural traditions in school settings, arts festivals and within Native communities. His classes are suitable for students of all ages and skill levels and can include elements such as historical context, drum making, and a range of crafts and other cultural practices. Matias typically teaches and demonstrates to live music. Performances can also be incorporated. Registry / Contact Info