Valentino Tzigiwhaeno (LIGHTNING) Rivera was born April 6, 2008 to George Rivera (descendant of Pojoaque Pueblo and Spanish families, born in Santa Fe, NM) and Felicia Rosacker-Rivera (descendant of Spanish and Italian New Mexico families and Danish families from Kansas, born in Santa Fe, NM). Valentino’s DNA can be considered a triptych of Santa Fe Blood and Culture. His soul and his life here on Earth can be considered a perfect example of a beautiful appreciation of life, culture and love of humanity and New Mexico. 

Valentino’s uniqueness became apparent even before birth—during an ultrasound, when the tiny, strawberry-sized fetus turned 360 degrees as fast as lightning. At that moment, his father, George, knew this energetic soul would bear the name Tzigiwhaeno, the Tewa name for the phenomenal force of nature we call Lightning.

Many saw in Valentino early on both a willing teacher and a student, and through his deep appreciation of others, he has become a healer. Valentino was four years old when he first saw Nakotah LaRance perform the traditional Hoop Dance. This encounter coincided with his admiration for—and study of—Michael Jackson’s music, particularly Michael’s dance abilities. By then, Valentino’s love and appreciation for dance were already well established.

Valentino immediately began sharing the teachings of Nakotah and Steve, offering gratitude and blessings for the well-being of others whenever he could—at family gatherings, at school, in the park, for relatives, whether they were sick or well. During one of the group’s fundraising dances, Deborah Abeita Torrez inquired about the identity of the littlest dancer of the group and his parents told her “that’s our son!” Through Deborah, Valentino was offered the amazing opportunity to dance at Pearl Harbor for the Homecoming of the USS Santa Fe. Valentino performed with his fellow dancers around New Mexico, in San Diego for National Indian Gaming Association and in Phoenix at the World Hoop Dance Competition.

In 2014, the Hoop Dance Group set their sights on a larger goal: to travel to Europe and share their gift of hoop dance. They succeeded and performed in Paris and La Rochelle, France, then Geneva, Switzerland where they were honored guests and performers at the US Embassy for U.S. Ambassadors.  The audience included the U.N. Human Rights Council, Keith Harper, and Ambassadors from many other countries, where they were presented with a generous scholarship from the US Embassy. The world wind trip finished up in one of Valentino’s motherlands, Florence, Italy. Valentino left a lasting impression everywhere he danced. While many are advised to “dance like no one is watching” to help with the inhibitions of dancing in front of a crowd, Valentino danced like the whole universe was watching, much like his instructors, Nakotah LaRance and Michael Jackson. He performed the same way, alone, in the kitchen at home, filming himself, as he did for an audience of over a thousand people. Valentino performed here, in Santa Fe, on Museum Hill, in the dance circle that now bears his name, graciously allowed and supported by Museum donors. 

The serious spinal cord and brain injuries sustained in a car accident in the spring of 2015 did not change Valentino’s soul. With his parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family and friends by his side, Valentino’s integrity never faltered. When he couldn’t speak, he smiled and laughed. When he could speak, he told everyone that he was willing to put in the work to recover. He never complained or blamed anyone for his tragic fate. There were many notable and strong leaders in Indian Country and beyond, who came to support and love Valentino during his days of recovery. In turn they left positively changed by the strength, love and warrior spirit he exhibited. When he knew he would not recover, and as his transition into the next world approached, he was clear about how he wanted his loved ones to learn and grow from this unfathomable tragedy. He wished to be remembered exactly as he was: a dancer, a teacher, a student, and a healer.

His family and friends are following through with his wishes and coping with their loss, in this very way: through creation of art and a Foundation in his name, Lightning Boy Foundation. The Foundation’s mission supports a tribally inclusive Lightning Boy Hoop Dance Group and other youth performance and visual arts objectives, and above all, trying to love others and our place on Earth unconditionally as Valentino did.

https://www.lightningboyfoundation.com/

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