Fabian Fontenelle is Zuni and Omaha. He was born and raised in Zuni Pueblo and also has family ties in Nebraska. Fabian is the great-great-grandson of the renowned Omaha leader Chief Big Elk. On his Zuni side, he belongs to the Coyote and White Badger Clans, and on his Omaha side, he is of the Elk Clan.
Fabian is an original member of the American Indian Dance Theatre and has performed throughout the United States and internationally, sharing the beauty and diversity of Native American cultures through dance and education. He also provided masterwork choreography and dance performances for the acclaimed production Music from a Painted Cave, which was later featured nationally on PBS as part of the renowned Great Performances series.
A respected cultural educator, Fabian has dedicated much of his life to teaching Native American history, culture, and traditions. His work has included consulting, acting, and cultural advising for productions such as Into the West, executive produced by Steven Spielberg, as well as projects for the History Channel. He has also shared his knowledge with schools, museums, universities, and communities across the country.
Fabian has been dancing since he could walk. Throughout his travels across Indian Country and around the world, he carries with him the teachings, prayers, and traditions of his family, ancestors, and community. Deeply grateful for the gifts bestowed upon him by the Creator, he considers it an honor to share his culture and heritage with others.
As a young man, Fabian spent many summers in Wisconsin Dells alongside his grandparents, relatives, and fellow Zuni families who participated in the historic Stand Rock Indian Ceremonials. Those experiences helped shape his lifelong dedication to cultural preservation and traditional dance.
Fabian is best known as a Men's Northern Traditional Dancer, though his knowledge and experience extend across many dance traditions, including the traditional dances of the Zuni people.
He would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to his wife, Shelley Morningsong Fontenelle, his children, grandchildren, relatives, and many friends whose love and support have enriched his journey.