Head
Woman
Crystal Jae Tohannie
Fallon, NV
My name is Crystal Jae Tohannie . I am serving as your 2023 head lady dancer. I am a registered member of the Lummi nation as well as being half Paiute. I currently reside on the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Reservation, located just outside Fallon Nevada.
I’ve been a fancy shawl dancer for well over thirty years. It's provided me with a stable base to build a cultural understanding upon. It's also allowed me to travel and understand other tribes and bands ceremonies and customs throughout the US and Canada. Most importantly its provided me lifelong friendships and a family of my own.
Currently, I am working as owner and head designer of Tha Painted Goat Indigenous Design LLC. The online brand offers custom designed pieces from everyday attire to full male and female regalia sets. We hope to expand T.P.G. to include mainstream clothing options that will remain consistent to our established design elements.
I've also served the community as an indigenous youth advocate. I occasionally appear for speaking engagements or presentations within the Nevadas school districts. My education and background in social work has served me in this endeavor in ways I could've never anticipated.
We all understand that winning isn't the primary reason that powwow culture has continued to thrive. There is no age restriction. Entire families come together as one. We build bonds with other families that are as strong as blood. With a clear mind we experience emotions in the arbor that don't exist anywhere else. I believe that our celebrations and gatherings are vital to maintaining the balance that keeps our indigenous spirits healthy.
Crystal Jae Tohannie
I’ve been a fancy shawl dancer for well over thirty years. It's provided me with a stable base to build a cultural understanding upon. It's also allowed me to travel and understand other tribes and bands ceremonies and customs throughout the US and Canada. Most importantly its provided me lifelong friendships and a family of my own.
Currently, I am working as owner and head designer of Tha Painted Goat Indigenous Design LLC. The online brand offers custom designed pieces from everyday attire to full male and female regalia sets. We hope to expand T.P.G. to include mainstream clothing options that will remain consistent to our established design elements.
I've also served the community as an indigenous youth advocate. I occasionally appear for speaking engagements or presentations within the Nevadas school districts. My education and background in social work has served me in this endeavor in ways I could've never anticipated.
We all understand that winning isn't the primary reason that powwow culture has continued to thrive. There is no age restriction. Entire families come together as one. We build bonds with other families that are as strong as blood. With a clear mind we experience emotions in the arbor that don't exist anywhere else. I believe that our celebrations and gatherings are vital to maintaining the balance that keeps our indigenous spirits healthy.
Crystal Jae Tohannie