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lightning boy
 foundation

The Lightning Boy Foundation is a non profit organization in Northern New Mexico that provides traditional hoop dance instruction and other dance programming to youth ages two and up. Our mission is dedicated to nurturing and building confidence and integrity through culture and artistic expression.

Honoring a legacy...

The Lightning Boy Foundation was established in honor of Valentino 'Tzigiwhaeno' Rivera, a boy who couldn't stop dancing. He passed at the young age of 8, a sacred number in the Native community, and left a clear mission and vision to fulfill. 

Josiah

Josiah

Josiah at World Hoop Dance Competition

Nakotah

Nakotah

Nakotah at World Hoop Dance Competition

Francesca

Francesca

Francesca at Indigenous People's Day

Nakotah 2019

Nakotah 2019

Nakotah at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. by Richard Gonzales

Mitchell

Mitchell

Mitchell at El Rancho de las Golondrinas by Richard Gonzales

Valentino

Valentino

Valentino 'Tzigiwhaeno Lightning Boy'

Apaollo

Apaollo

Zynobiah

Zynobiah

Apaollo

Apaollo

Giovanni

Giovanni

Valentino

Valentino

Nakotah

Nakotah

by Richard Gonzales

Jai Po' and Mateo

Jai Po' and Mateo

2024 recipient of the

'Resiliency award' from the  Santa FE community foundation pinon awards

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