Starr Chief Eagle – Hoop Dancer at the Homestake Opera House

Starr Chief Eagle, an enrolled member of the Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota Sioux Tribe, was born with the Lakota name Wichahpi Tokahe (First Star). As she entered adulthood, she received the Lakota name Wichahpi Ohitika Winyan (Brave Star Woman). Growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, she developed a passion for hoop dancing from a very young age, even before she could walk. Over the years, she has dedicated herself to practicing and refining her hoop dancing techniques and skills.
Her father, Dallas Chief Eagle, played a crucial role in shaping her hoop dancing abilities, and she continues to honor his teachings while incorporating her own unique style. Starr takes immense joy in sharing her Lakota culture with others, expressing it through art, language, dance, and song, with the hope of preserving and revitalizing the Lakota heritage for future generations.
Starr’s talent has taken her across the globe, where she has mesmerized audiences with her Hoop Dancing performances. Yet, she remains committed to reaching out to her community and passing on her knowledge in the heart of the Paha Sapa (Black Hills of South Dakota) at significant places like Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, schools, camps, and various gatherings.
In her leisure time, she continues to deepen her understanding of Lakota art, history, and language, which is evident in her crafts, such as beading, sewing, and other artworks. These insights also enrich her performances and teachings, infusing her daily life with a profound connection to her Lakota heritage.