Born to two Mormon converts in Orem, Utah, Patrick Wille grew up in a white world dominated by devotion to Jesus and strip malls. His connection to his Navajo heritage was tenuous, even though both of his parents were 100% Navajo and raised in the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. He was teased at his mostly white school for having long hair, and says that most of the kids thought he was Hispanic.
As a teenager he reconnected with his heritage when he was “blown away” by seeing champion hoop dancer Tony Duncan perform. He began practicing and inventing his own moves, which snowballed into becoming one of the most accomplished hoop dancers in the world. Willie has traveled the world as a hoop dancer and defender of Navajo culture. His performance often includes a talk in which he explains the basics of respecting other cultures and combating racism.
The essence of hoop dancing is telling stories using the hoops. The more accomplished the dancer, the more hoops and complex manipulation of them is involved. Willie now dances with up to 30 hoops at a time, and has become well known for his creative signature moves. He takes part in the world championship hoop dancing competition held annually at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona where he placed 7th in 2020.
Willie also teaches workshops in public schools for Native American Heritage Month, as well as mentoring native children in the Salt Lake City Area, where he still lives.