Dakhká Khwáan Dancers
The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers are an award-winning Inland Tlingit dance group based out of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Dakhká Khwáan means Inland People/Nation, a name given to them by the late Dakla’weidi elder, Eliza Bosely.
The group is renowned for their focus on reclaiming and promoting their languages and traditions through the art of singing, drumming, dancing and storytelling.
The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers are led by Marilyn Jensen, who began dancing at age 2. Since their founding in 2007 they have grown from six members to 30, adding a children’s dance group to their collective. In all of their performances, the group embodies the highest respect and artistic integrity for the culture they represent; they place special meaning on the knowledge passed down from their ancestors and are lovingly advised and guided by their group Elders.
The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers have performed before the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Ottawa, and overseas in Israel, New Zealand and Taiwan. They also commanded the stage at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
Recognized with multiple awards, including a 2014 National Indigenous Cultural-Tourism Award; a nomination for an Indigenous Music Award for their first album Reconstruct/Deconstruct, produced in collaboration with DJ Dash; and named lead dance group for 2024’s Celebration, a biennial festival of over 2000 dancers celebrating Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida culture, the Dakhká Khwáan Dancers are widely recognized for their passion and dedication in revitalizing traditional culture.
