Takara Hansell

Enrolled Citizen of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi

Juried Artist since 2013

Takara Hansell is an award winning Powwow dancer, bead worker and designer of Native American Clothing. She has been beading and sewing for many years.  She specializes in bright colors and cutting edge designs.

Takara started dancing when she was only four.As a child she was involved with many youth groups including: Dawn Land Youth Group, Circle of Courage Youth Group and W’Abenaki youth camp.  She specializes in Traditional and Fancy Shawl dancing at Powwow throughout the Northeast.

She was a participant in the Flynn dance performance From the New World, during the Quadricentennial Celebration in 2009. that highlighted the experience of Samuel de Champlain and the indigenous peoples of the Northeast. She was also and a featured at the Vermont Indigenous Celebration,

Takara put her heart and soul into designing, sewing and beading Native American clothing and earrings. She welcomes custom orders.

Contact
Email: [email protected]

Instagram: W’Abenaki Stylez

Exhibit

2017

Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage. Traveling Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

2014

• Featured Artist, Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington, CT
• All of my Relations: Faces and Effigies from the Native World –  Invitational Group Art Exhibit.  Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, N.H.

Performances and Demonstrations

1990 – Present    

Competition Powwow Dancer

2013 

• School performances for youth of current Aboriginal Americans (May-June)
• “Native American Heritage Weekend,” Lake Champlain Maritime Museum,  Vergennes, VT

2012    

• Dance Presentation at a Military gathering of celebrating diversity
• Head lady dancer at Mt. Kearsarge 13^th annual Powwow, Warner NH

2011    

• Native American Heritage Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
• “Speaking To The Ancestors Abenaki Gathering,” ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT

2010    

• Native American Heritage Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
• “Winter Celebration.” ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT

2009    

“Vermont Indigenous Celebration.”  ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT

2009    

• Dance performance for the Burlington Performance of Arts at the Flynn Theater
• Theater production to the contemporary play “From the New World” by Heddy Maalem at the Flynn Theater

1998 – 2002

Abenaki Dance Troop Performer (toured New England to educate Abenaki dance and culture)

Awards and Honors:

• Dartmouth Powwow I have place 1rst, 2^nd, 3^rd in multiple years
• Mohegan Sun Powwow 3^rd and 4^th place
• Browns University Powwow 2^nd and 3^rd
• Shelburne Vermont Powwow 2^nd Place
• Head Lady Dancer for Mt. Kearsarge 13^th annual powwow
• Head Lady Dancer for Swanton Heritage Powwow

Affiliations

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

2007 – Present Owner of W’Abenaki Stylez (Small business)

2010 – 2012       Member of the VT Commission on Native American Affairs

2010 – 2012       Member of the Abenaki Self Help Association Incorporation

2008 – 2009        Native American Quadricentenial Advisory Committee