E.Macias

E.Macias is a dance scholar, dance maker, and Assistant Professor of Dance. Macias’ research focuses on the histories and contemporary practices of the Native American Fancy Shawl dance. Her research examines Fancy Shawl as a site of gender expansive being and resistance.

From 2021-2024, Macias was the Helaine B. Allen and Cynthia L. Berenson Distinguished Visiting Professor of Indigenous Genders and Sexualities through the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies at Brandeis University. In previous years, her academic studies were supported by the UCR Dance Department Dissertation Year Program (DYP) Award, the U.S. Department of Education Native American Studies Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship, and the Eugene-Cota Robles (ECR) Award. She has presented research for the International Blackfoot Research Conference (2021-2024), the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference (2023), the Gender & Sexuality Symposium at Brandeis University (2022), and the Dance Studies Association Conference (2022 & 2021). 

Macias participated in the Indigenous World Dance Residency at BANFF (2024) under the guidance of Santee Smith and Alejandro Ronceria where she studied to advance a project of developing a movement language and practice centering Siksikaitsitapi world views. While at BANFF, Macias presented an early iteration of an original dance work titled Ihtsipaitapiyopa. From 2023-2024, Macias organized a series of community gatherings where she presented original dance work Niiksokowaiks My Relatives alongside artist Daystar Rosalie Jones. Her work was presented in several events including: the 27th Annual Drawing Show Yušká Uncoil at Boston Center for the Arts (2024), the Shared Space Showing at the Mark Morris Dance Center (March & June 2024), Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts (2024), and Indigenous Peoples Day at Brandeis (2023). 

Macias has shared dance and performed in California, Utah, Montana, Massachusetts, New York, Calgary AB, and Vancouver BC. She has has worked with Native Indigenous communities including: Ohketeau Cultural Center in MA, Sherman Indian High School in Riverside CA, Native American Student Programs at UCR in CA, the Gathering of the Tribes Summer Residential Program at UCR in CA, Title VI Lil Feathers program in UT, and the Native American Health Center San Francisco CA.

Macias holds a PhD in Critical Dance Studies from the University of California Riverside, and BFA in Dance with a Modern emphasis from Utah Valley University.