The Native Dancer Project: UTTC Tribal Leaders Summit Recap 2025
Author: Ariann Rousu – Native Dancer Digital Artist
Summary
Earlier this month, the UND DREAM Lab had the honor of participating in the United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) Summit. An event that continues to grow in its celebration of Indigenous innovation, education, and creativity each year. The Native Dancer Project has been attending this event for the past couple of years. This experience was a little different from the past formal speaking experiences to share about the project. This year we included three hands-on, beginner-friendly demo sessions that attendees could attend at our tradeshow booths.
Expanding Our Reach
Previously, the Dream Lab had a booth to showcase the Native Dancer project and time to connect with attendees. This year, our booth spaces hosted interactive tutorials designed to introduce attendees to digital tools used in game development. From designing regalia, modeling and scripting, these sessions gave participants a chance to explore 3D design in a low-pressure environment.
This shift from passive viewing to active participation was a game changer. It allowed us to reach a broader audience. It reinforced the idea that digital design isn’t just for professionals, beginners can accomplish things too.
Marvelous Designer Demo
I lead a Marvelous Designer session, where I introduced attendees to the basics of creating realistic 3D clothing for games. The focus was on how we use MD in the DREAM Lab to design regalia for the Native Dancer project. To communicate this, a simpler garment was created.
Although hands-on participation was limited, visitors were able to observe the full process in action. I was able to live build a simple garment from scratch. Then worked more in depth on the current jingle dress design for The Native Dancer Project. Participants observed building garments and simulating fabric physics in real time. This offered a look into the creative and technical process behind digital clothing design.
Blender Demo
The Blender sessions were hosted by Darrin Frederick, who brought his expertise with a walkthrough of modeling tools. His demo focused on foundational skills, navigating the interface, using essential tools, and understanding the poly modeling process.
One of the highlights showcased custom skeletons created for dinosaur animations, showing how rigging and animation work behind the scenes. Attendees were able to watch Darrin work live, ask questions, and see how Blender can be used to bring characters to life. His approachable teaching style made the session accessible to newcomers while still offering valuable insights for those with some experience.
Unreal Engine Demo
Walker led the Unreal Engine sessions with a fantastic introduction to visual scripting through Blueprints. In just an hour and a half, he built a fully functional toy shooter-style game live and from scratch. The game featured a simple but engaging mechanic: players could shoot at moving block targets, which changed color when hit.
What made the demo especially impressive was the added layer of interactivity. The moving targets were equipped with boundaries and bounce physics. This allowed them to react to walls and other objects within the game’s playfield. It was a great way to demonstrate how a game can be brought to life with thoughtful design and well-placed Blueprints.
Reflection
One of the most rewarding parts of the UTTC Summit was the conversations that happened in between the demos. Moments of connection where ideas were exchanged, questions were asked, and inspiration was shared. We had enriching discussions about the Native Dancer project, the tools we use, and the broader mission of the DREAM Lab. Many students and educators familiar with UND and beyond were excited to learn about the opportunities available and the work being done.
