Weekly Drum & Dance Class
The American Indian Cultural Center’s Drum and Dance Pow Wow is a powerful celebration of Native traditions, culture, and community in the heart of San Francisco. Led by world champion traditional dancers and singers, the event brings together people of all ages to honor the sacred heartbeat of the drum and the beauty of traditional dance. Through these practices, AICC creates a space for cultural preservation, storytelling, and intergenerational teaching, keeping Native heritage alive and thriving in an urban setting.
Our Pow Wow is a community gathering that fosters healing, unity, and pride. It offers an opportunity for youth, elders, and allies to come together, share knowledge, and experience the strength of diverse Native American identities. Visitors are welcome to learn about the meaning behind the songs, regalia, and ceremonies, while also participating in the spirit of celebration. Through this event, AICC continues its mission to uplift Native voices, strengthen cultural connections, and ensure these traditions are carried forward for generations to come.
Teachers
Rueben Crow Feather Sr.
Our weekly drum & dance circle is led by Rueben Crow Feather Sr. (Lakota, Standing Rock Sioux Nation). Rueben is a celebrated Pow Wow MC, and a respected drum and dance teacher. Honored with the Lakota name Akicita Tokaheya (“First Warrior”), Rueben embraces a mission of spiritual revitalization through healthy, education-minded, and drug-free living.
As a World Champion Traditional Dancer and Singer, he leverages his artistry to uplift and educate youth—using his presence as both performer and teacher to foster spiritual awareness, addiction prevention, and cross-cultural understanding. Always aiming to build bridges and dismantle stereotypes, Rueben shares his culture with youth organizations, schools, and universities, inspiring unity across communities
Michael Bellanger
Michael Bellanger is a respected cultural bearer, drum teacher, and community leader who leads the powwow drum and dance classes at the American Indian Cultural Center of San Francisco. For decades, Michael has shared traditional songs, rhythms, and teachings passed down through generations, creating accessible spaces for Native youth, families, and elders to reconnect with culture in urban settings. Through his teaching, Michael emphasizes drum as a source of healing, identity, and community—welcoming participants from many tribal backgrounds and ensuring that tradition remains alive, practiced, and shared. His work reflects a deep commitment to cultural continuity, mentorship, and the power of gathering in song and dance.