Mitchell “Whishe” Shonkwaiataroroks Gray (Mohawk)

Mitchell Shonkwaiataroroks Gray is Kanienke’haka (Mohawk), Turtle Clan. Born on the Akwesasne Reservation, he moved to New Mexico at the age of 4, where his family built an educational farm and nonprofit organization. At the age of 13, he learned the art of hoop dancing from the late Nakotah LaRance (Hopi), a nine-time World Hoop Dance Champion.

Gray is a graduate of the Santa Fe Indian School and a current student at the Institute of American Indian Art, studying Performing Arts. Besides hoop dancing performances, he is available for modeling, acting, and public speaking roles. Over the past three years, he has been a regular performer for George RR Martin’s Sky Railway in Lamy, New Mexico. He has won many awards and has traveled the world with his hoop dancing at many locations, including the following:

  • January 2019, Performed at the inauguration ceremonies for Governor Michelle Lujan in Grisham, Santa Fe, New Mexico

  • March 2021, Heard Museum Virtual Hoop Dance Competition, 3 rd Place Teen Division

  • August 2021, Performed on Good Morning America show in the Santa Fe Plaza

  • September 2021, Performed in Hokkaido, Japan Opening Ceremonies for Slow Food

  • Indigenous Terra Madre

  • March 2022, Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Competition 2 nd Place

  • Teen Division

  • July 2022, Performed “Unfinished” at Teatri Riflessi International Theater Festival,

  • Catania, Sicily, Italy

  • August 2022, Nakotah LaRance Memorial Hoop Dance Competition, 2 nd Place Teen

  • Division

  • September 2022, Performed in the Opening Ceremonies for Slow Food Terra Madre

  • Conference

  • August 2023, Nakotah LaRance Memorial Hoop Dance Competition, 1 st Place

  • Collegiate Division

  • October 2024, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, Brooklyn Children’s Museum

  • November 2024, American Indigenous Arts Celebration, Seminole Territory, Florida

  • December 2024, Institute of American Indian Arts Holiday Market Fashion Show,

  • Modeling for Jennifer Benally of Shiny Moon Creations

  • January 2025, Western Stockman’s Association, Wild West Show, Denver, Colorado