Dennis Alley, the founder of the Wisdom (Winnebago, Iowa, Shawnee, Delaware, Otoe-Missouria Tribes represented, with members living in Arizona and Oklahoma) Indian Dancers met Willie Nelson back in the 1980’s in Las Vegas after a show and offered to have his family (children) dance for him, his family and band. That began a lifetime friendship (in which Dennis adopted Willie Nelson as an Indian brother) that lasted over 25 years until Dennis passed in 2007.
In 1990 Willie Nelson invited Dennis and his family, the Wisdom Indian Dancers to be part of the Farm Aid concert in Indianapolis, which then began a tradition to have them open up Farm Aid with a Native song and dance and then Willie would sing The Lord’s Prayer while the group performed in Native American Indian sign language.
To this day, the Wisdom Indian Dancers who are the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Dennis Alley, carry on the legacy that was started over 30 years ago, by sharing culture, dancing and performing at Farm Aid annually to give honor and respect to the earth, family farmer, artists, and the public who show up year after year to keep the family farmer going.
The Wisdom Indian Dancers are thankful to be part of the Farm Aid mission with Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, and Margo Price, along with the many artists who perform every year.
